Classmates identify twin sisters run over in Las Cruces crosswalk

For the first time, we are hearing from friends of the twin teenage sisters run over in a crosswalk in Las Cruces on Monday.

Classmates from Alma D’Arte Charter School identify the girls involved in the hit-and-run as Alejandra and Anabel Dorado. The 16-year-old sophomores are studying flamenco at the art high school.

Las Cruces police say an 81-year-old driver in a white Ford pickup truck struck the girls just after 4 p.m. Dec. 15 on Picacho Avenue just west of Melendres Street. Traffic investigators revealed the unidentified driver drove a couple hundred feet after striking the girls before briefly stopping. Witnesses told officers the driver walked back to where the girls lay on the ground before returning to his pickup and driving away. He was pulled over just moments after the crash was reported.

Classmates of the twins are making get well soon cards and have set up a donation box to help the family pay for medical expenses.

The group of teens ABC-7 spoke with said Alejandra is at home recovering, and Anabel is still at University Medical Center in El Paso. One friend said their entire school is now wishing the girls a speedy recovery.

“We went to visit Ale yesterday. She’s a little bruised up and she’s worried about her sister … but she’s strong,” sophomore Veronica Gurrola said. “She always has been, so we’re very hopeful that they will come back.”

A Las Cruces Police Department spokesman said charges against the driver are pending the outcome of the investigation.