2 people dead after 3 crash across Albuquerque

The Albuquerque Police Department is investigating three crashes that resulted in two deaths over several hours on Tuesday and early Wednesday.

Fourth and Candelaria NW

A 24-year-old man is accused of fatally hitting a driver early Wednesday morning.

Bryson Kayonnie of Albuquerque is charged with vehicular homicide and is being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center. Their attorney could not be reached.

At about 1 a.m., police responded to a call of a fatal crash near Fourth and Candelaria.

According to a criminal complaint filed at Metropolitan Court, Kayonnie had been taken to a hospital, where he told police he had been drinking at a friend's house and "didn't remember driving."

The complaint also states he told police he had one beer and told Albuquerque Fire Rescue he had used marijuana.

Police said investigators determined that Kayonnie was heading west on Candelaria when he T-boned a southbound vehicle. The damage was so severe "the driver's side door of the sedan was nearly touching the inside of the front passenger door."

"Based upon its severity," police said it was determined Kayonnie was under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

The deceased driver's identity was not identified in the criminal complaint.

La Bajada and Atrisco NW

APD spokesman Gilbert Gallegos said officers responded to a crash at about 6:35 p.m. Tuesday in the area of La Bajada and Atrisco NW.

Alan Castanon, 27, of Albuquerque was arrested and charged with DWI, great bodily harm by vehicle, reckless driving and assault in connection with the crash. He is being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center.

Gallegos said a man — later identified as Castanon — was speeding south on Atrisco when he hit the driver's side of a vehicle driven by a 17-year-old male who was about to turn west on Tower. The teen was taken to a hospital and is in critical condition.

According to a criminal complaint filed at Metropolitan Court, Castanon told police he was driving "recklessly" and "was drunk" before telling the officer to arrest him.

Police said surveillance of the crash showed Castanon trying to "instigate" a fight with Albuquerque Fire Rescue personnel.

The complaint said in 2020 he was charged with aggravated DWI, reckless driving and open container after failing to maintain a lane and almost sideswiping a vehicle heading east on Highway 70 in Doña Ana County.

The charges were dismissed without prejudice in 2023, according to court records.

Tower and 98th SW

Just before 10:30 p.m. Tuesday, a 28-year-old man was killed when he was hit by a black Nissan speeding down 98th, Gallegos said.

He said witness told police the driver was "weaving in and out of traffic" when the driver hit the passenger's side of a Mitsubishi, causing it to "flip" across the intersection and into a light post.

The driver of the Mitsubishi suffered minor injuries, Gallegos said.