Charges in I-25 crash could net 20 years

SOCORRO, N.M. (KRQE) - Eight charges including vehicular homicide have been filed against the man alleged to be driving drunk when he killed a woman in a wrong-way crash on Interstate 25 near Socorro Monday night.

New Mexico State Police say around 10:30 p.m. 21-year-old Reyes Duran started driving northbound in the southbound lanes of I-25 about seven miles south of Socorro.

Reyes, who police say was driving drunk, crashed into a car carrying 42-year-old Berth Sanchez of El Paso. Sanchez died at the scene.

Duran sustained minor injuries after his car was struck by a van when he came to a stop in the middle of the road. Duran was treated for minor injuries at a local hospital and then taken into custody.

Investigators are awaiting the results of a blood test to determine his level of intoxication which could take two to three weeks.

Three other people in the car driven by Sanchez were hurt in the crash. One of them was airlifted to UNM Hospital where they are listed in critical condition. Two others in the van that hit Duran were sent to an El Paso hospital with minor injuries.

State police say Duran is facing eight separate charges including DWI and vehicular homicide that could put him in prison for 20 years.

According to the criminal complaint, Duran told officers he had been drinking at home before heading out to meet friends at a bar in San Antonio about 10 miles south of Socorro.

He told police he didn't remember what happened after that.

The crash happened a few miles north of San Antonio.

Jail administrators said they believe Duran is a New Mexico Tech student, but school officials contacted by KRQE News 13 could not verify that.