The Albuquerque Journal reports on a devastating collision that resulted in two fatalities when a stolen car chase ended in a fiery crash. The Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office claims that deputies noticed a stolen vehicle traveling at normal speeds at around 11:30 p.m. on a Friday.

They began following the vehicle without activating their emergency lights. When the driver of the stolen car allegedly turned off the headlights in an attempt to evade police, deputies backed off so air support could track the car through the city.

Police claim the motorist began driving in an incredibly reckless manner and was turning on and off the headlights while traveling in the East Mountain area. Air support continued tracking the vehicle so deputies could deploy spike belts, but their attempts failed.

The stolen vehicle eventually collided with a tow truck at the intersection of Central and Tramway, and it proceeded to catch fire. First responders removed four people from the burning car.

They took two individuals to the hospital for treatment. The two others died at the scene. Responders also transported the tow truck driver to the hospital to receive treatment for injuries sustained in the crash.

Car chases are just one of many possible causes of fatal collisions. If you lost a loved one in a crash with a reckless driver and you want to hold the liable party accountable, contact The Law Office of Brian K. Branch, PC.

Since our founding in 1997, we have been providing compassionate yet aggressive representation to people throughout New Mexico who have lost family members at the hands of negligent or reckless parties. Call 505-207-4401 to schedule a free case evaluation with an Albuquerque wrongful death lawyer.

Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim in New Mexico?

Wrongful death lawsuits allow individuals to hold those parties responsible for their loved one’s death accountable. Such claims also compensate them for damages that they incurred as a result of their family member’s passing.

In the state of New Mexico, a personal representative of the deceased must file the wrongful death claim. Although almost anyone can serve as the personal representative, only certain individuals are eligible to receive the compensation that results from a successful claim.

Pursuant to Statute 41-2-3, the proceeds of any judgment may go to the surviving spouse, children, grandchildren, parents, or siblings. It is important to note that there is a hierarchy of eligibility, so siblings cannot receive compensation if the deceased left a surviving spouse or children. If there are no eligible surviving kin, the personal representative must distribute the proceeds according to New Mexico’s laws of succession.

If you lost a loved one in a preventable accident, an Albuquerque wrongful death attorney from The Law Office of Brian K. Branch, PC will help you appoint a personal representative to file a claim. Our team will guide you through every step of the proceedings and help you negotiate for a fair settlement that includes all possible damages.

Call 505-207-4401 to schedule a free consultation. If you want to learn more about filing wrongful death claims in New Mexico, visit USAttorneys.com.