Fabens man charged with child endangerment after son crashes ATV: Sheriff’s Office

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- The El Paso County Sheriff's Office said it arrested a man accused of letting his child drive an ATV without functioning brakes.

On Monday, deputies received a report of a crash at the intersection of Cypress Street and Wahlen Lane in Fabens.

EPCSO said 37-year-old Jose Luis Lechuga let his 12-year-old son drive an ATV on a public road without supervision. According to investigators, Lechuga didn't tell his son that the ATV's brakes weren't working.

The child crashed into a guardrail and was transported to a hospital, EPCSO said. He's in stable condition.

Deputies arrested Lechuga and charged him with abandoning/endangerment of a child. The sheriff's office booked him into the El Paso County Downtown Detention Facility with a $10,000 bond.

“ATVs should not be operated on public roadways, and safety must always come first,” said Sheriff Oscar Ugarte in a statement. “Before allowing a child to ride, parents must ensure the ATV is in safe working condition, provide proper supervision, and make sure their child wears a helmet and appropriate protective gear. These precautions can help prevent serious injuries.”