Friday, May 1, 2009

Cops skipped 911 investigation before drunk driver caused car crash deaths

New Mexico State Police never sent an officer after a 911 call April 13 warning that people later involved in a fatal accident appeared to be drunk. State Police Capt. Daniel Lovato said this week that no officers were available. Both of the officers on duty were working a domestic disturbance call and one had a prisoner.

A manager at Bode’s General Store in Abiquiú had made the call at 5:05 p.m. and reported seeing a Dodge Durango in the parking lot before the crash that killed Richard Vialpando and brothers Alfred Jaramillo and James Jaramillo. The manager had called 911 because one of the occupants of the Durango entered the store and appeared intoxicated.

Vialpando was driving the same vehicle about six hours later when it collided head-on with the car being driven by Alfred Jaramillo. Vialpando’s two passengers survived the crash.

Vialpando is suspected to have been drinking, as numerous beer cans and a vodka bottle were found in his car and on the road. Blood test results confirming whether Vialpando or anyone else involved in the crash was legally intoxicated have not been released. (info from Rio Grande Sun)

No comments: