Police Remain Tight Lipped on Fatal Crash

Two days after a fatal crash that took a 31-year-old man’s life, Las Cruces Police still aren’t releasing any new information. Spokesman Dan Trujillo said because of an ongoing investigation, they can’t even release the man’s identity.

Family members say the lack of information from police makes them think this is much more complicated than a typical car crash. Eyewitnesses agree.

Family members place the victim at the Subherbia Smokeshop where he worked, just down the road from where he crashed and was found dead. They say he closed the store as usual around 10 o’clock, minutes before he died. Several witnesses told ABC-7 they heard two gunshots and then saw a car driving the wrong way down May Avenue.

“I ran to the gate and I noticed the gentleman in the vehicle was slouched over,” a witness said.

The victim then crashed into a parked car and pushed it several yards down the road where his car hit the curb, flipped over and crashed into a fence. A witness ran over to help.

“I told him the paramedics would be here shortly. There’ll be cops here to assist him. I’ve already called for help. I asked if there was anybody in the vehicle. I didn’t get a response. I asked him, can you hear me? I’m here with you. I didn’t get a response,” the witness told ABC-7.

Family member said they think someone may have had a personal vendetta against the victim.

“I can’t even imagine why this would happen, especially to him. He got along with everybody,” a family member said.

Family members confirmed the victim was the father of a 4-year-old boy.

“He was an awesome father. He was real family-oriented. Every chance he had his son, first thing he would do is take him out and get a haircut,” said a family member.

The witness who rushed to the scene said he didn’t even know the victim, but what he saw that night still haunts him.

“It hurts. People say why? I say for what? The guy was just doing his job you know. Just working. I don’t know why it happened. For what? I don’t know,” the witness said as he broke down in tears.

As for those who did know the victim, they say they’re just taking it one day at a time.

“It’s going to be hard to go on without him because he just brought joy to everybody that was around him. He didn’t deserve this,” a family member said.

Las Cruces Police detectives are continuing their investigation and ask for anyone with pertinent information to please call Las Cruces Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477) or send a tip via text message to LCTIPS (528477).