Man accused of crashing into Imperial Sky Motel charged with vehicular homicide

Update (December 9, 2024): Court documents identify the victim who died as Kari Scholin. Court documents state that officers arrested Alan Leyva-Vasquez and charged him with vehicular homicide. They booked him into the Dona Ana County Detention Center.

Investigators say that Leyva-Vasquez had quickly jumped into the Suburban he was driving in an attempt to chase another car. He then backed up from a parking spot into the building.

LAS CRUCES, News Mexico (KVIA) - Las Cruces Police responded to the Imperial Sky Motel on west Picacho Avenue just after 11:30 a.m. Friday after a Chevrolet Suburban crashed into the motel.

Police investigators say the driver of the SUV tried to leave the complex when they drove into the building and struck a 59-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman.

The woman died from her injuries, and has not been identified pending notification of next of kin.

The man suffered minor injuries.

The driver of the SUV remained at the scene and is cooperating with police in their investigation which is ongoing.