Bond request denied for former New Mexico Republican Party treasurer charged in deadly Las Cruces hit-and-run
UPDATE (June 30) -- The family of Andrew Brown has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Kimberly Skaggs, alleging she was speeding when she fatally struck Brown, fled the scene without helping him, and later attempted to conceal evidence, while also seeking damages on behalf of Brown's 14-year-old son.
Editor's Note: This story has been updated with redacted personal information on the court documents.
UPDATE (June 29, 12:33 p.m.) -- Judge Conrad Perea ruled Kimberly Skaggs will be held without bond until her trial.
Judge Perea based his decision on the definition of clear and convincing evidence established by the 2008 case of New Mexico v. Adonis which states "evidence must instantly tilt the scales in the affirmative when weighed against the evidence in opposition."
State prosecutor Heather Chavez presented Skagg's history of six speeding tickets since 2012 as well as her behavior of fleeing the scene of the crash even though Brown was still alive yet badly injured instead of calling 911 or helping.
This was the basis of the state's argument against release conditions that she posed a threat to the community in addition to emphasizing her behavior after the crash.
Chavez showed the photos of the crash scene and the parked car to Doña Ana County Sheriffs Deputy Fabian Fernandez, including photos of the license plate registration that didn't expire until May of 2027 but Skaggs requested a new registration as well as a new license plate number almost immediately after the crash.
To Perea, this showed an effort to hide the vehicle as well as Skaggs parking her SUV in a garage hidden from street view not at her home but at a property that is currently up for sale.
As far as renewing the registration, Chaves pointed out Skaggs owned her own DMV business called '50 State DMV' and pointed out the new registration was sent there instead of her home residence.
All evidence led to Perea basing his ruling on the points that Skaggs posed a threat to the community based on her actions and no conditions of release would protect the safety of the community.
Skaggs is still facing one count of knowingly leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death punishable by up to three years in jail and one count of Tampering with evidence which carries a sentence of up to 18 months.
The date of Skaggs trial has not been determined yet.
UPDATE (3:24 p.m.) -- The New Mexico GOP said, "Kimberly Skaggs is no longer affiliated with the Republican Party of New Mexico. We will not be commenting any further on this matter."
LAS CRUCES, N.M. (KVIA) -- The treasurer for the Republican Party of New Mexico has been charged for a deadly crash in Las Cruces, according to documents. Kimberly Skaggs faces charges for knowingly leaving the crash scene and tampering with evidence, according to documents.
It happened June 22 near 850 N Fairacres Rd. near W Picacho Avenue in Las Cruces, according to documents.
Documents said 40-year-old Andrew Brown crossed the street on his bike when an SUV hit him while the driver went northbound.
An officer with the Dona Ana County Sheriff's Office arrived at 2:46 p.m. and met a witness, according to documents. The witness emailed the officer pictures she took of a woman who left the scene. Documents said the pictures showed a black Cadillac Escalade.
Brown died due to his injuries at the crash site at 4:16 p.m., according to the Office of Medical Investigators.
Authorities found about 208 feet of skid marks and debris from the SUV (two small black pieces with grill marks and "GM" imprinted on the back of them). Brown's bike broke into several pieces, documents said.
A sergeant found a flock photo of the Cadillac while it drove east on Picacho Avenue at 2:43 p.m., close to the time of the crash, documents said.
Another law enforcement official found a citation the Las Cruces Police Department issued involving the Cadillac for racing, documents said.
Through the citation information, officials identified Skaggs as the driver, documents said.
Officials also found a video of a black Cadillac driving at a high rate of speed, documents said.
A deputy got a subpoena to track the suspected vehicle. It showed its location at a home on Northwind Road, which Skaggs owned, documents said.
Officials tried to call Skaggs, but the phone went straight to voicemail, according to documents.
The next day, June 23, at 6:41 p.m., officials executed a search warrant to retrieve the Cadillac, documents said.
Authorities found blood splattered near the front right wheel and a damaged front bumper, according to documents. The front bumper also had a tire mark that looked like it came from a bike tire.
Additionally, the front bumper had two missing pieces -- matching the pieces found at the crash site, documents said.
Jail records said Skaggs turned herself in for arrest Wednesday. She booked into the Dona Ana County Detention Center.
Skaggs is also a former chair of the Dona Ana County Republican Party.
This is a developing story. ABC-7 reached out to the Dona Ana County Sheriff's Office and the Republican Party of New Mexico for more information.
You can read the court documents detailing the investigation below.
