Dragging victim had taught foregiveness

LOS LUNAS, N.M. (KRQE) - Court records allege the man arrested Tuesday night in the dragging death of a Good Samaritan in Valencia County also knew he had run the victim over but took off anyway.

Family members say the victim, Anthony Cabrera, was just trying to do good, something he did every day of his life.

"He was a pastor and he had a real good heart he wanted to help people," said his daughter Patty Cabrera.  "Every morning he had the bible open; first thing he would do.

"He was someone who was a believer in not only going to church and he had a seat in a pew, he understood what it meant to be a servant."

That's exactly what he was doing on Jan. 24 when he stopped for a candy bar at the Mana Mart in El Cerro Mission.

He came across this man asking for a ride, and Cabrera agreed to give him one.

But Cabrera says shortly after heading down the road the man had him pull over and look at the tire.

The man jumped in the driver's seat and took off with Cabrera holding onto his shirt, trying to get him to stop.  Cabrera held on for about 130 yards before falling and being run over

He died two weeks later.

On Tuesday night police arrested Chris Andrade, a man who's led a life of crime.

"It wasn't me," Andrade told KRQE News 13 as officers led him from the Valencia County Sheriff's Department.  "They don't have their facts straight."

Cabrera's family is relieved and doing their best to move forward.

"Really hurtful at first," Patty Cabrera said.  "You are really upset and you know you have thoughts going through your head, but our dad raised us well to forgive no matter what someone does to you."

Cabrera leaves behind his wife and 11 children.

Andrade is charged with murder and is being held on a $1 million cash bond.