A man facing criminal charges in a crash that killed a 10-year-old girl and seriously injured her father will remain in jail while he awaits trial, a judge ordered Monday.
John Bearden, 37, is charged with vehicular homicide and aggravated driving while intoxicated in the death of Penny Pizarro, a fourth grader at The International School at Mesa del Sol.
Bearden’s attorney, James Newell, told prosecutors Monday he wants a speedy resolution of Bearden’s case.
“We would like to enter into plea negotiations as soon as possible” with the 2nd Judicial District Attorney’s Office, Newell said. “And then we want a speedy trial as well.”
Penny and her father, David Pizarro, were driving to school March 27 when a stolen state-owned vehicle slammed into the passenger side of their car at San Pedro and Bell SE.
Rescue personnel had to extricate the father and daughter from their car and both were transported to a hospital with serious injuries. Penny died of her injuries on April 16.
Penny’s classmates held a fundraising event April 28 at their school for the Pizarro family. A GoFundMe campaign also has raised nearly $62,000 for the family.
Prosecutors allege that shortly before the crash, Bearden had stolen a state-owned Chevrolet Suburban from the state fairgrounds that had been left unlocked with keys in the ignition. The vehicle was found at the scene of the crash.
Bearden also faces charges of great bodily harm by vehicle for injuring David Pizarro, leaving the scene of an accident, and unlawfully taking a motor vehicle.
Bearden pleaded not guilty to the charges Monday when he appeared by video from the Metropolitan Detention Center. Bearden has remained at MDC since his March 28 arrest.
Prosecutors allege that after the crash, Bearden fled on foot through several backyards. Police found Bearden hiding in a shed in the 500 block of Dakota SE, Albuquerque police wrote in a criminal complaint filed in Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court.
At one point Bearden told police, “I don’t do drugs, drugs do me,” the complaint said.
Bearden later said that he had “relapsed on methamphetamine,” according to the complaint.
He told police he became disoriented after stealing the state-owned vehicle and had difficulty finding his way out of the fairgrounds, the complaint said. He also told police that once he left the fairgrounds, he began driving fast through residential neighborhoods before crashing into a car, it said.
Earlier stories: 10-year-old girl dies weeks after stolen vehicle crash near Expo New Mexico
Remembering Penny: Classmates raise money to help the family of their friend killed in a car crash
