Carlsbad PD seeks ‘person of interest’ in fatal hit-and-run

EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) -- Law enforcement officials in Carlsbad, New Mexico, are seeking a "person of interest" in a fatal hit-and-run that left a 19-year-old dead earlier this month. Carlsbad Police and Crime Stoppers of Eddy County are asking for your help. Detectives have identified 26-year-old Artesia resident Edgar Ayala Flores as a person of interest in this case and are actively attempting to locate and speak with him regarding the investigation, according to Crime Stoppers. The suspected vehicle involved in the crash has been located and is being processed as evidence, Crime Stoppers said. The driver involved in the collision left the scene without reporting the incident or rendering aid, Crime Stoppers said. Just before 6 a.m. on June 8, officers with the Carlsbad Police Department responded to the 3700 block of Standpipe Road, where they found 19-year-old Carlsbad resident Trapper James Cearley dead at the scene. The investigation revealed that the victim had been riding a minibike southbound on Standpipe Road when he was struck by a vehicle sometime after 11:30 p.m. on June 7, Crime Stoppers sasid. Through investigative efforts and review of surveillance video, investigators have identified the suspect vehicle as a light-colored Ford F-250 or F-350 flatbed pickup equipped with a headache rack and auxiliary lights. The vehicle has since been found. Investigators determined that, shortly before the crash, the vehicle was traveling southbound in the 1100 block of Pate Street. The vehicle then continued south on Church Street, proceeded south on Sixth Street, and ultimately traveled onto Standpipe Road. The Carlsbad Police Department is asking residents and businesses along this suspected route to review any available surveillance footage recorded between 11:45 p.m. and midnight on June 7. Anyone who has relevant video footage or knows or recognizes Edgar Ayala Flores is asked to call the Carlsbad Police Department at (575) 885-2111, ext. 0. Anonymous tips may also be submitted through Crime Stoppers at (575) 887-1888 or toll-free at (844) 786-7227 or by visiting eddycountycrimestoppers.com.