Man charged with DWI in Tome crash that left woman dead, 2 children hurt

VALENCIA COUNTY, NM – A man is facing multiple charges in connection with a fatal crash in Valencia County last month, according to the Valencia County News-Bulletin.

37-year-old Richard Gutierrez Molina of Albuquerque was arrested for the Nov. 16 collision that killed a Los Lunas woman and injured her two children.

Authorities said Molina was driving a 2008 Ford F-250 pickup truck southwest on South El Cerro Loop near Sandhill Road in Tome at a high rate of speed when he crossed into the oncoming lane and collided head-on with a 2022 Honda sedan. The Honda driver, 38-year-old Veronica Ferraro of Los Lunas, was killed while her two children, ages 12 and 7, suffered life-threatening injuries.

It was reported that Molina admitted to drinking to the sheriff’s deputies at the scene, and refused standardized field sobriety tests and a mandated breath test.

He was charged with homicide by vehicle (DWI), great bodily harm by vehicle (driving while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug), and driving with a revoked license.

Prosecutors said Molina has been charged with DUI related offenses on three separate occasions since 2012 both in New Mexico and out of state and has at least three prior convictions for DUI. 

Motorcycle crash blocks portion of Bridge Boulevard in South Valley

SOUTH VALLEY – An accident involving a motorcycle was disrupting traffic in an area of the South Valley on Wednesday morning.

According to a traffic alert from the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office at 11:38 a.m., the crash shut down westbound Bridge Boulevard at Sunset Road. There were no immediate reports of injuries.

The sheriff’s office issued an update about an hour later that all lanes had been reopened.

Crews respond to accident on I-25 northbound in Lemitar

LEMITAR, NM – Drivers were alerted to a crash causing a lane closure along Interstate 25 in Socorro County on Tuesday night.

A notification from NMRoads at 7:07 p.m. indicated that the incident took place on I-25 northbound at mile marker 156 in Lemitar. Emergency crews were making repairs to the barrier damaged by the wreck.

The right driving lane was blocked to traffic during the repair work.

Have you been hurt? Then call Bert!

Have you lost a family member as the result of someone else’s negligence, recklessness, or criminal intent? By talking with a skilled Albuquerque wrongful death attorney at Parnall Law Firm, LLC, you can learn about your rights to compensation and better understand the legal process. Our team will work to establish your status as a survivor and potential beneficiary of the deceased’s estate, along with establishing liability (legal responsibility) for the wrongful death and pressing for compensation the estate and its survivors are due. You can set up a free consultation by using our contact form or calling (505) 268-6500.