A suspected drunk driver knocked down two light poles, struck a pedestrian and three vehicles before being detained by Las Cruces Police.
Chris V. Morales, 40, is charged with aggravated DWI, two counts of leaving the scene of an injury accident, three counts of duty upon striking fixtures or property, two counts of failure to maintain lanes, and one count each of reckless driving, driving with an open container and failing to immediately notify.
Shortly after noon on Tuesday, June 24, Las Cruces Police were dispatched to the report of a reckless driver on El Paseo Road.
LCPD traffic investigators determined that Morales was driving a 2003 GMC Sierra pickup west on Boutz Road where he struck and knocked down a city light pole at 930 E. Boutz Rd. Morales then turned north on El Paseo Road and hit a Pontiac G6 that was entering the Sonic Drive-In. A 23-year-old woman in the Pontiac received relatively minor injuries in the crash and was transported to a local hospital.
Morales’ pickup continued northbound where it struck an 18-year-old woman who was standing near a city bus stop. The crash damaged part of the bus stop structure and knocked down a second light pole. The 18-year-old woman was transported to a local hospital where she is listed in stable condition.
Morales and his pickup again failed to stop and continued northbound where witnesses told police he pulled into the Valero Corner Store at the intersection of El Paseo Road and Idaho Avenue. Morales is believed to have parked the pickup and entered the store but left without making a purchase.
Morales got back into his pickup, drove across Idaho Avenue before making a wide U-turn and striking an electrical pole near the Arby’s restaurant. He then struck a Ford Focus that was parked at Arby’s. The force of the crash pushed the Ford Focus into a Dodge Ram pickup. A Las Cruces Police officer detained Morales after the GMC pickup become stuck on a curb outside the Arby’s restaurant.
Morales also complained of injuries and was transported to a local hospital. Upon release from the hospital he is expected to be booked into the Dona Ana County Detention Center with bond set at $1,000.
Information from Las Cruces Police