ALBUQUERQUE, NM – A judge has sentenced a man to prison in connection with a fatal crash in Northeast Albuquerque in 2017, the Albuquerque Journal reports.
29-year-old Paul Anthony Garcia will serve six years behind bars under the sentence imposed by Judge Brett Loveless last week.
The case involves a collision that occurred Jan. 18, 2017 in the area of Chelwood Park Boulevard and Copper Avenue. Garcia was a passenger in a stolen van driven by Elexus Groves that crashed into a car driven by 39-year-old Shauna Arredondo-Boling of Albuquerque. Arredondo-Boling’s 14-year-old daughter died at the scene while her mother passed away about two weeks later. Arredondo-Boling’s 3-year-old son was injured.
Investigators said Groves was driving nearly 80 miles an hour while fleeing police at the time of the collision, and said she and Garcia fled the scene afterwards. Groves was convicted on charges that included vehicular homicide, and will be sentenced next month.
Garcia pleaded guilty to two counts of unlawful taking of a motor vehicle, knowingly leaving the scene of an accident and conspiracy. Under terms of the plea agreement, he testified at the trial of Groves. He will receive credit for time already served at the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center, where he has been held since February 2017.
Have you been hurt? Then call Bert! If you have lost a family member due to someone else’s negligence, you have a right to justice beyond what the criminal courts can provide. The New Mexico wrongful death lawyers at Parnall Law can demand compensation from the person or entity responsible for your loved one’s wrongful death. You can schedule a free consultation to discuss your case by calling (505) 268-6500 or contacting us online.
