Man charged with homicide by vehicle after hit-and-run

LAS CRUCES, New Mexico (KVIA) -- Law enforcement officials in Dona Ana County have arrested Vicente Vasquez in connection with a deadly pedestrian hit-and-run incident that killed Graciela Sahs on July 3, 2025.

Officials charged Vasquez with homicide by vehicle (reckless driving), knowingly leaving the scene of an accident (great bodily harm or death), failure to give information and render aid, failure to give immediate notice of accident, and tampering with evidence.

Court documents accuse Vasquez of also injuring a man in the same incident that killed Sahs. New Mexico State Police (NMSP) officers were dispatched to the intersection of Sunland Park Drive and Appaloosa Drive at 10:47 PM on Thursday. They found that Sahs and the other victim were crossing the road when Vasquez allegedly hit them.

Officers sent out a BOLO (Be On the Look Out) for Vasquez's car, and later found it, with damage consistent with the evidence left at the crash site, at a Sunland Park house underneath a tarp.

"Additionally, investigators learned that Vasquez had told family members he had 'killed' someone near the casino," NMSP officials stated today. "During questioning, Vasquez later admitted to being involved in the crash. He stated he believed he hit a dog and did not stop after the impact because he was tired. He also admitted to hiding the damage with a tarp."

Vasquez is due to make an appearance in court this afternoon.