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Driver killed after Bernalillo deputy crashes into car in North Valley
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A Bernalillo County Sheriff鈥檚 Office deputy crashed his vehicle into another car, leaving the female driver dead, early Wednesday morning in the North Valley.
The incident also set off a dispute between agencies, with BCSO accusing the Albuquerque Police Department of releasing inaccurate details about the crash.
BCSO Sheriff John Allen, in a statement, said the deputy has been placed on paid administrative leave, adding that 鈥渢his is a routine step in any serious incident and should not be interpreted as a prejudgment of the deputy鈥檚 actions.鈥�
He said the deputy was not injured.
Allen said 鈥渢o ensure the integrity of the investigation,鈥� he has requested that the Albuquerque Police Department investigate.
After relinquishing the investigation to APD to 鈥渕aintain its impartiality and thoroughness,鈥� however, Allen accused APD of sending a news release on the crash that contained 鈥渋naccuracies鈥� 鈥� specifically, that the deputy told dispatch that the vehicle was suspicious and that the driver 鈥渂rake checked鈥� him. A brake check is when a driver deliberately hits the brakes when moving in front of another vehicle, ostensibly with the intention of causing the behind driver to collide or take evasive action.
鈥淎fter reviewing the radio transmissions, it is clear that these details were mistakenly included,鈥� Allen said. 鈥淭he Bernalillo County Sheriff鈥檚 Office prioritizes the accuracy and integrity of information provided to the public. We strive to correct any discrepancies swiftly to ensure public communication is factual and transparent.鈥�
APD spokesman Gilbert Gallegos responded, 鈥淲e released information that investigators obtained at the scene. We won鈥檛 have any additional comment until the investigation is complete.鈥�
Allen, in his statement, said 鈥減reliminary information鈥� showed the deputy tried to pull over a Honda Accord that was driving erratically and speeding, and that the driver fled. He said the deputy did not give chase 鈥渂ut remained in the vicinity to monitor for further incidents.鈥�
Allen said the deputy then saw the Honda again and tried to pull it over a second time, and 鈥渟hortly after this attempt was communicated via radio, the crash occurred鈥� at Edith and Alameda NE.
Allen ended his statement: 鈥淲hile 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.鈥�
In a release earlier Wednesday, APD spokeswoman Rebecca Atkins said BCSO detectives were 鈥渟hadowing鈥� APD鈥� investigation.
鈥淭he BCSO deputy used his right to remain silent with his attorney for questioning at this time, and an interview will be set up in the future,鈥� Atkins said in a news release. 鈥淭here is no suspected alcohol or drug consumption.鈥�
Atkins said just after midnight, APD responded to a call of a two-vehicle fatal crash. She said a Bernalillo County Sheriff鈥檚 Office deputy was heading north on Edith in a marked Ford Explorer when the deputy 鈥渃alled over the radio of (a) silver Honda being a suspicious vehicle and that the deputy lost sight of the vehicle.鈥�
鈥淭here was also a radio transmission from the deputy that the Honda brake checked the deputy,鈥� Atkins said in the release.
She said the BCSO deputy rear-ended the Honda, and the car then drove into a wall.
Atkins said the woman driving the car was not wearing a seat belt and was pronounced dead at the scene by first responders.
鈥淭he area was canvassed and there (were) no witnesses or any additional evidence at this time,鈥� she said.
