Motorcycle Crash Critically Injures Las Cruces Woman

A crash involving two motorcycles critically injured a Las Cruces woman on Saturday evening, according the the Las Cruces Police Department.

Officials said 35-year-old Bernadine “Nina” Aguilar was airlifted to University Medical Center in El Paso and was listed in critical condition.

LCPD officials said the crash occurred just before 9 p.m. on Valley Drive near Avenida Blanca in Las Cruces.

Investigators determined that 33-year-old Eliberto “Tito” Ruiz was driving a motorcycle with Aguilar as his passenger. Police said Ruiz was clipped while changing lanes by another motorcycle driven by 31-year-old Ricardo Madrid. Ruiz lost control and crashed the motorcycle, injuring Aguilar.

Police said Madrid’s passenger was also thrown from the bike, but was not seriously injured. Madrid left the scene of the accident, but was later found by police the same night.

Ruiz, Madrid and another motorcyclist, 32-year-old Adan Sanchez, were arrested on drunken driving charges.

Officials said none of the motorcyclists were wearing helmets and alcohol is believed to be a factor in the crash.