LCPD identifies pedestrian killed by hit-and-run driver

Las Cruces Police identified the pedestrian killed early Thursday morning on Barker Road as 52-year-old Michael A. Chadwick.

Chadwick, legally blind, was from Somerset, Kentucky and had recently moved to Las Cruces, police said.

Police are looking for the driver responsible for the hit-and-run and Las Cruces Crime Stoppers is offering a $1,000 reward for information that helps identify the driver.

The collision happened at about 6:20 a.m. Thursday, police said.

Officers were called to Barker Road, just south of Rigsby Road, after a passerby noticed a body on the roadway. Officers arrived to find Chadwick already dead from multiple injuries.

Police believe the crash likely occurred between 5 and 6:20 a.m.

Evidence from the scene shows Chadwick was struck by a vehicle heading south on Barker Road. The vehicle fled from the area, most likely continuing south on Barker Road toward Valley Drive, police said.

Police said evidence indicates the suspect vehicle has dark-blue metallic paint. It will have moderate to severe damage to its front end, and possibly a broken headlight or broken windshield.

A police spokesman said it is possible the driver may try to hide the vehicle or change routine – like miss work or school, or drive another vehicle – to avoid being caught. The driver may also try to repair the vehicle before driving it again.

Anyone with information is asked to call Las Cruces Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or send a tip by text message to CRIMES (274637), keyword LCTIPS.