Fort Bliss man had unopened whiskey bottle on front passenger seat during fatal crash: court documents

Update (December 11, 2025): Court documents obtained by ABC-7 state that Fort Bliss resident Gerard Anthony Nelson, Jr. had an unopened bottle of Vanilla Jim Beam on his front seat when he crashed into the car Lucia Villa was riding in. Villa was thrown from the car and killed, police say.

Court documents state that Nelson allegedly disregarded a red light just as the Ford Focus Villa was in drove into the intersection of Montana Avenue and Desert Meadow Road. A witness told investigators that he saw Nelson speeding at the time of the crash.

Court documents state that the Ford Focus spun several times and its left tire was broken off and embedded into Nelson's car. They add that the Ford Focus was hit so hard that its engine broke off, flew nearly eight feet into the air, and hit a utility pole.

Villa was found in the road and was rushed to a hospital where she was later pronounced dead. The two other people in the Ford Focus with Villa suffered serious injuries, such as collapsed lungs, internal bleeding, and brain bleeds.

Nelson was also taken to the hospital for evaluation. An officer evaluated him for possible intoxication at the hospital. The officer reported that Nelson allegedly smelled of alcohol and failed various tests. He reported that Nelson verbally denied having drunk alcohol before the crash.

Update (December 8, 2025): Deputies just identified the woman who died in the crash at Montana Avenue and Desert Meadows Road on Saturday as Lucia Villa, 60. The driver of the other car, Gerard Anthony Nelson, Jr., 29, was booked into the El Paso County Detention Facility on one count of Intoxication Manslaughter with a Vehicle and two counts of Intoxication Assault with a Vehicle. He was booked on a combined $650,000 bond.

The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office says that the car Villa was riding in was going north on Desert Meadows Road and had the right of way. Investigators say that Nelson then disregarded a red light and hit the car Villa was riding in, causing her to be ejected. The other two people in the car with Villa were hospitalized. Villa died at the hospital, according to the Sheriff's Office.

“This tragic loss is a heartbreaking reminder of why it is so important to never drive while intoxicated,” said Sheriff Oscar Ugarte. “A family is now facing the holidays without their loved one. Let this serve as a reminder to make responsible choices and help keep our roads safe.”

Update (December 7, 2025): The El Paso County Sheriff's Special Traffic Investigations unit (STI) is currently at the scene of a two vehicle crash on Montana Avenue near Desert Meadows in East El Paso County.

The crash was reported just before 4 p.m. Four people received serious injuries, one was airlifted by FireStar and the other three were taken by ambulance to area hospitals for treatment of their injuries.

Montana Avenue is closed in both directions while STI determines the cause of the crash.

The closure is estimated to take about six hours, drivers are asked to avoid the area and seek alternate route by the Sheriff's Office.

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- At least two people resulted injured after a crash on Montana and Desert Meadows.

One person was taken by FireStar to an area hospital with severe injuries. Another person was taken by ambulance to a nearby hospital, according to El Paso Fire.

The crash was reported at 3:46 p.m. El Paso Police report all lanes are closed for traffic control as first responder work to investigate the crash. Clearing time until further notice.

This is a developing story and we will update you on-air and online as information become available.