Crash Investigation Updates
Sun. Sept.11, 2022
ALBUQUERQUE – The Albuquerque Police Department’s Motors Unit investigated three separate serious injury crashes on Saturday September 10, 2022. In the early morning of Sunday September 11, 2022 there was a fatal crash involving a motorcycle at Paradise Blvd. N.E. and Paseo del Norte that the Motors Unit also responded to.
Below are updates on all four investigations.
1837 Chandelle Loop N.E.
On September 10, 2022 at approximately 3:00p.m. the on-call Motors Unit was called out to a serious injury crash located at 1837 Chandelle Loop N.E. Through our on scene investigation it was learned a male subject was driving a white Ford F-150 on Rover.
Witnesses to the crash remained on scene and spoke to the primary motor officer. One of the witnesses was a friend of the driver and stated he’d been following her friend after helping her buy a vehicle in the area. The driver was supposed to follow her to her residence. She then told the officer he accelerated at a high rate of speed all of a sudden, passing her.
The friend said the male driver ran the red light heading Westbound on Rover through Tramway and then continued westbound until he crashed into the garage of 1837 Chandelle Loop NE. The vehicle then continued through the garage wall into a neighboring residence.
The friend told officers that the driver was diabetic and may have been experiencing a medical episode prior to accelerating and running the red light. The driver was transported to the University of New Mexico Hospital with life threatening injuries and remains in critical condition. This is an on-going investigation.
Tramway Blvd. and Menaul Blvd. N.E.:
On September 10, 2022 at approximately 6:00p.m. the on-call Motors Unit was called out to a serious injury crash located at Tramway Blvd NE and Menaul Blvd NE. Through the on scene investigation, it was learned a blue Suzuki motorcycle was traveling northbound on Tramway, in the left turn-bay to travel Westbound onto Menaul.
A white Mazda SUV was traveling Southbound on Tramway approaching Menaul. The light turned yellow and the motorcyclist proceeded through the intersection. The white Mazda also proceeded through the intersection on a yellow light. The white Mazda T-Boned the motorcycle causing critical injuries to the motorcyclist.
The driver of the Mazda remained on scene and provided a statement to the primary motor officer. There was one passenger in the Mazda who also remained on scene and provided a statement.
The driver of the Mazda was not suspected of being impaired by drugs or alcohol. It is unknown if speed was a factor for this crash. The motorcyclist at last check remained in critical condition.
Central and Utah:
On September 10, 2022 at approximately 1:30p.m. the on-call Motors Unit was called out to a serious injury crash located at Central and Utah. Through the on scene investigation it was learned a silver Chrysler sedan was traveling westbound on Central near Utah.
A pedestrian was crossing the street in the Westbound Central lanes, not utilizing a cross walk. The Chrysler crashed into the pedestrian leaving the pedestrian with critical injuries. The pedestrian was transported to the University of New Mexico Hospital. The driver of the Chrysler stayed on scene and provided a statement to officers.
The pedestrian required surgery and at last update he was in stable condition. Speed and alcohol are not suspected as being a contributing factor by the driver. The pedestrian's sobriety is unknown. At this time it appears the crash was due to pedestrian error. Charges appear to be unlikely at this stage in the investigation. This investigation is ongoing.
Paradise Blvd. N.W. and Paseo del Norte:
On September 11, 2022 shortly before 2:00a.m. the on-call Motors Unit was called out to a fatal motorcycle crash located at Paradise Blvd. N.W. and Paseo del Norte N.W.
Through the on-scene investigation, it was learned that a male subject was at his residence located along Paradise Blvd NW. The individual was with a friend and they’d been drinking in a garage. The male wanted to show his friend a new exhaust system he got on his Harley Davidson motorcycle.
The male drove his motorcycle from his residence and turned westbound onto Paradise Blvd N.W. The driver lost control of his motorcycle and crashed in the roadway. The motorcyclist was not wearing a motorcycle helmet and received significant injuries. Albuquerque Fire Rescue arrived on scene and pronounced the driver deceased.
The driver’s friend remained on scene and gave the primary motor officer with a statement. At this time, it appears both speed and sobriety were contributing factors for the crash. This is an on-going investigation.
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