Suspected impaired driver accused of causing deadly crash in Rio Arriba County arrested

RIO ARRIBA COUNTY, N.M. (KRQE) – A man has been arrested by New Mexico State Police for allegedly driving impaired, causing a deadly crash in Rio Arriba County and leaving the scene. Crescencio Castro Baldazo, 34, is charged with the open container, homicide by vehicle (driving while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug), leaving the scene of an accident (great bodily harm or death), failure to maintain traffic lane, and careless driving. NMSP said on Sunday they received a report from an employer expressing concern that an employee was operating a company vehicle, a 2022 GMC 2500, while possibly under the influence of alcohol and may be headed towards Farmington. While responding to the call, police units were redirected to a crash involving an overturned commercial vehicle on New Mexico Highway 550 near milepost 106. Officers were met by an off-duty Texas police officer who told NMSP that he witnessed the crash and reported that a second vehicle fled the scene. The off-duty officer stopped to provide aid to the driver of the overturned vehicle, NMSP said. The driver who fled, was identified as Castro Baldazo and was located a short distance away from the crash near milepost 103. NMSP said a citizen at the scene prevented him from leaving. State Police said through the course of the investigation, it was determined that Castro Baldazo was the same individual previously reported by his employer for suspected impaired driving. The crash victim, 55-year-old Jasper Bunny of Farmington, sustained serious injuries and was brought via helicopter to a local hospital, where he later died. Castro Baldazo was taken into custody and booked into the Rio Arriba Detention Center.