Driver dies in collision with Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office unit
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – The Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office provided an update on a deadly crash involving a silver Honda Accord and a marked Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office vehicle. The crash happened Wednesday morning at the intersection of Alameda Road and Edith Boulevard, and the driver of the Honda died as a result.
BCSO Sheriff John Allen said that he requested the Albuquerque Police Department take the lead in the investigation, however, Allen noted that the preliminary information released by police after the crash contained “inaccuracies.”
According to the initial information shared by APD, BCSO deputies told police that the deputy involved in the crash called over the radio and said that the Honda was a suspicious vehicle and that at some point, he lost sight of the vehicle. According to APD, the deputy involved also reportedly said that the Honda brake checked him.
Later in the day on Wednesday, BSCO said that was not the case. “Specifically, there was no mention by the deputy of a brake check or the vehicle being suspicious. After reviewing the radio transmissions, it is clear that these details were mistakenly included,” Allen wrote in a news release.
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The sheriff’s office said preliminary information indicates that the deputy attempted a traffic stop on the Honda as it was driving erratically and at high speeds.
The driver initially fled and the deputy did not engage in a pursuit. Instead, he stayed in the vicinity to monitor for further incidents, BSCO added.
The deputy reportedly saw the vehicle again, still driving erratically, and attempted a second traffic stop, BCSO said. Shortly after, the crash happened at Alameda Road and Edith Boulevard.
APD initially said the BCSO Ford Explorer collided with the rear end of the Honda, and the Honda drove into a wall. The police department also said the driver of the Honda was not wearing a seatbelt and was pronounced dead on the scene by medical personnel.
According to APD, the deputy involved did not have apparent injuries and was not taken to the hospital. APD also initially said that alcohol or drug consumption was not suspected.
This information from APD was not later disputed by BCSO.
BCSO said the deputy involved in the crash was placed on administrative leave, per standard procedure.
“This is an ongoing investigation, and we are committed to full cooperation with the Albuquerque Police Department to ascertain all facts surrounding this incident. We ask for patience and understanding as the investigative process is thorough and will take time to ensure all aspects are carefully considered. While the initial release from APD did not align with our expectations, I have full confidence in the APD Traffic Unit and their capability to conduct a thorough and accurate investigation,” BCSO Sheriff John Allen wrote in the news release.
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