Vado, NM – A single-vehicle crash in Vado on Sunday evening claimed the lives of two juveniles and left another injured.
According to the New Mexico State Police, the crash occurred at approximately 6:50 p.m. in the 8100 block of Highway 478. Investigators said a 2007 purple Dodge Charger, driven by Christina Escobedo Arriaga, 33, of Mesilla Park, was traveling southbound on State Road 478 with three juveniles, ages 15, 15, and 12, as passengers. The vehicle allegedly left the roadway, striking a light pole, chain-link fence, and a tree before stopping in the front yard of a residence.
Authorities reported that a 15-year-old passenger was transported to a local hospital with injuries. The other two passengers, a 15-year-old and a 12-year-old, were pronounced dead at the scene by the Office of the Medical Investigator. Investigators noted that only the surviving passenger appeared to be properly restrained by a seat belt at the time of the crash.
Police allege alcohol was a contributing factor. Arriaga was taken to a Las Cruces hospital for treatment before being booked into the Doña Ana County Detention Center. She faces multiple charges, including two counts of homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence, one count of great bodily harm by vehicle while driving under the influence, two counts of intentional abuse of a child resulting in death, one count of abuse of a child resulting in great bodily harm, and one count of driving under the influence of intoxicating liquor.
The crash remains under investigation by the New Mexico State Police.
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