La Mesa Crash Injures 4 Teens, Alcohol Major Factor In Crash

LAS CRUCES, NM- Dona Ana County Sheriff’s officials continue to investigate a serious crash in La Mesa that injured four teens on Saturday night.

Patrol deputies responded to a call of a vehicle in an irrigation canal off Esslinger Road. When deputies arrived, they found a small pickup in a 15-foot ditch holding about two feet of water.

According to investigators, 18-year-old Armando Valles and 18-year-old Jesus Beltran, both of La Mesa , were riding in the bed of the truck at the time of the accident.

Valles was pinned beneath the rear of the truck. The deputies took turns holding Valles’ head out of the water and hand dug him out from under the vehicle, pulling him to safety. Valles was airlifted to Thomason Hospital in El Paso and was released the following day.

Beltran was thrown from the truck, but suffered only minor injuries and was taken by ambulance to Memorial Medical Center, then later released.

The driver, Nicolas Valles, 18, of La Mesa, was arrested for aggravated DWI, careless driving and for allowing himself to be served alcohol. He was treated at the scene for minor injuries and later booked into the Doa Ana County Detention Center .

Bobby Dominguez, 17, was ejected through the back window of the truck and suffered minor scrapes and bruising. Dominguez was cited for allowing himself to be served alcohol and was released to the custody of his parents.

Sgt. Michael Kinney of the Sheriff’s Department’s Traffic Divison says crashes like the one on Saturday illustrates the importance for driver to watch their speed and not drink and drive.

Investigators determined that speed and alcohol were major contributing factors to the crash andnone of the occupants was wearing a seatbelt.