Dad angered accused drunk driver freed

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - Jon Griego, the father of a little boy severely injured in a drunk driving accident over the weekend, was in tears after the suspect bonded out of jail .  

The man accused, Mariano Salaz, posted a $55,000 bond over the weekend.

Judge Christine Jaramillo continued that bond, so Salaz is still a free man. 

Griego is angry because his 2-year-old son is fighting for his life at UNM Hospital.

Doctors have Vicente heavily sedated Monday. They tried to take his breathing tube out, but it failed.  Vicente is improving, but there's no word if he will have permanent brain damage.

APD says the man accused in that crash was not old enough to be drinking.

Salaz, 20,  prayed Monday during his first appearance in Judge Jaramillo's courtroom. He was released on a $55,000 bond.

He is accused of driving drunk early Saturday morning and rear ending a car on Coors near I-40. Police say he crashed into a second vehicle and then drove southbound in the northbound lanes. When he was finally pulled over, police say he backed into a patrol car.

Reportedly, his breath alcohol level was at least .16, twice the presumed level of intoxication.

Jon Griego says he is shocked Salaz is a free man.

"My son was smashed against  the back seat. He couldn't breath. If I hadn't got him out in time, he wouldn't have lived. He would have died," Griego said. "I don't know what else to say except Salaz should be behind bars"

Mariano Salaz senior, the father of the suspect, said he wants to apologize, his son wants to apologize and want to help the family he hurt.

Salaz faces vehicular homicide or great bodily harm by vehicle, aggravated DWI and leaving the scene of an accident, but that could change once the District Attorney gets the case. 

He is now being evaluated and the courts will make a decision on details of his release and that could include an ankle monitor, alcohol and drug testing, an ignition interlock or no driving at all.