Docs: Man hides truck under tarp after fatal hit-and-run crash in Sunland Park
Woman killed, another hurt in hit-and-run in Sunland Park
State Police confirmed the arrest of Vicente Vasquez Jr., 61, who was taken into custody on Saturday, July 5, and court records show he was charged with vehicular homicide, immediate notice of accident, leaving the scene, failure to stop and render aid, and tampering with evidence.
As we have previously reported, just before 11 p.m. that Thursday, State Police responded to a crash at Sunland Park and Appaloosa Drive involving a vehicle and two pedestrians.
A male victim and a woman were struck by a driver, later identified as Vasquez, who fled the scene, State Police said.
The 26-year-old woman, identified as Graciela Citlali-Tonazin Sahs, died at the scene, State Police said.
The Sunland Park Fire Department said the male victim, who was taken to the hospital, suffered serious injuries.
According to court documents, Sahs and the male victim had finished buying fireworks at a stand and began walking south when a maroon Ford Ranger, driven by Vasquez, struck both and fled the scene west on Sunland Park Drive.
After Vasquez fled, a 'Be on the Lookout' (BOLO) alert was issued to surrounding agencies to locate the Ford Ranger, according to State Police.
State Police said Sunland Park Police later located the damaged vehicle concealed under a tarp at a residence. The evidence and damage were consistent with the findings at the crash scene.
On Saturday afternoon, July 5, Vasquez's niece contacted law enforcement, saying Vasquez was at her residence in Sunland Park, according to court documents.
According to court documents, Vasquez's niece told officers Vasquez had told her he killed someone by the casino. She also said she received a text from Vasquez saying he killed someone or crashed in front of the casino.
Officers made contact with Vasquez, who said he was traveling at approximately 17 to 19 mph when he observed something crossing the street from the firework stand.
He said he pressed on his brakes, but did not have time to stop on time, forcing him to 'strike it.' After the impact, he said he rolled down his window to check what he struck, but he didn't see anything, so he continued driving, according to court documents.
According to court documents, Vasquez said he went to his residence and covered up the front end of his vehicle with a tarp because he didn't want his friend to see it.
Vasquez also admitted to being involved in the crash, and that he thought he had struck someone's dog and did not stop after the impact because 'he was tired and was trying to get home,' according to court documents.
Vasquez was booked into the Dona Ana County Detention Center with no bond.
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