APD Traffic Division Investigates three weekend incidents resulting in arrests including drag racing crash

ALBUQUERQUE – The Albuquerque Police Department’s Traffic Division investigated three incidents over the weekend resulting in arrests, including a crash believed to have been caused by drag racing.

Drag Racing Crash

On September 21, shortly before 3:00p.m., APD’s on-call Fatal Crash Team was called out to a crash located at Gibson Boulevard SE and Girard Boulevard SE.

Witnesses told officers three vehicles appeared to be racing at a high rate of speed westbound on Gibson. The Real Time Crime Center (RTCC) captured video which showed a green Chevrolet and a purple Dodge driving at a high rate of speed through the intersection.  A silver Kia was close behind the other vehicles and also entered the intersection at a high rate of speed. 

An orange Mitsubishi was traveling eastbound on Gibson and attempted to make a left hand turn northbound onto Girard. The silver Kia slammed into the side of the Mitsubishi causing significant damage on the passenger side and front of the vehicle. 

The green Chevrolet and purple Dodge vehicle continued to drive westbound on Gibson.  The driver of the Mitsubishi sustained major injuries and is listed in critical condition.  The driver of the Kia also suffered injuries and was transported to the hospital as well.

It does appear speed was a contributing factor to this crash and this remains an ongoing investigation. 

DWI and Aggravated Fleeing

On September 22, while working in the downtown area, a Traffic Lieutenant reported a silver BMW fleeing a traffic stop, east on Central Avenue shortly before midnight. The driver was traveling without lights on, the car had no license plate and passed another officer in the wrong lanes at a high rate of speed.

Air Support began following the vehicle which ran multiple red lights. The Lieutenant attempted another traffic stop at Central and Girard Boulevard, but the vehicle fled again. Near Summer Avenue and San Mateo Boulevard, a passenger jumped from the vehicle sustaining injuries.

The car eventually stopped in the UNMH parking garage where officers detained a passenger, and then located Isaac Suina, 20, who was hiding under a vehicle. The passenger stated they were not driving at asked Suina who was the driver, to stop the vehicle but that he refused.

Suina was in possession of the vehicle keys, vehicle title and a backpack believed to have a firearm inside.  The driver also demonstrated signs of alcohol impairment and had a Felony Warrant for his arrest. The vehicle was towed and search warrants are pending for both the vehicle and the backpack.

Suina was arrested and booked for DWI, Aggravated Fleeing and Resisting/Evading an Officer, and his felony warrant. Additional charges are pending the outcome of the Search Warrant on the vehicle and backpack.

Road Rage Incident

On September 22, just after midnight, a Traffic Officer spotted a purple Dodge Charger Hellcat without a registration plate speeding westbound on Central Avenue near Downtown. When attempting a traffic stop, the driver accelerated and fled. The driver crossed into the ART bus lane and ran a red light.

Air Support tracked the vehicle as it reached speeds of up to 140 mph on I-40, eventually exiting the interstate and stopping briefly in the Whole Foods parking lot on Carlisle.

Despite attempts to stop the vehicle, the driver, later identified as Brian Rosales, 21, fled from officers again at high speeds until a tire deflation device was deployed. After continuing to run multiple red lights, the driver stopped at the Owl Cafe on Eubank due to excessive tire damage.

Rosales was arrested and booked for Aggravated Fleeing of a Law Enforcement Officer, Resisting, Evading or Obstructing an Officer, Speeding (36 and over) and various traffic violations.

Video from the arrests can be found here.

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