Grand Jury indicts suspected hit-and-run driver; victim a legally blind pedestrian

Las Cruces Police said a grand jury indicted 21-year-old Jose Luis Rodriguez-Antuna for his alleged involvement in deadly hit-and-run March 30, 2017.

The collision claimed the life of 52-year-old Michael A. Chadwick, a legally-blind pedestrian, crossing Barker Road in Las Cruces.

Police charged Rodriguez-Antuna, of the 200 block of Branding Iron Court, with a third-degree felony count of “Leaving the Scene of an Accident Resulting in Death” and a fourth-degree felony count of “Tampering with Evidence.”

Investigators believe Chadwick was trying to cross Barker Road at about 6 a.m. on March 30 when he was struck by a blue vehicle allegedly driven by Rodriguez-Antuna.

Police said the driver fled the scene without calling for help or rendering aid.

Detectives learned Rodriguez-Antuna has a blue Ford Mustang, lives near the site where the crash occurred and regularly drove on Barker Road to his job at approximately 6 am, police officials said.

Investigators also learned Rodriguez-Antuna’s Mustang was “suspiciously not seen at his residence in the days following the fatal crash.”

Detectives interviewed Rodriguez-Antuna on April 6 and allegedly learned he left his residence shortly before 6 am on March 30th and drove south on Barker Road toward Valley Drive.

Rodriguez-Antuna claimed he was temporarily blinded by the headlights of an approaching vehicle when he struck Chadwick, police said.

Rodriguez-Antuna allegedly confessed to fleeing the scene and asking a friend for help repairing damage to his vehicle, police added. Rodriguez-Antuna drove the Mustang to El Paso and the friend then took it across the border into Juarez, Mexico.

Police said Rodriguez-Antuna will receive a criminal summons to appear in court. If he fails to appear in court, a warrant will be issued for his arrest.