Girl improving after alleged DWI crash

BELEN, NM (KRQE) - A Belen mother charged with drunken driving doesn't remember the crash that nearly killed her daughter Sunday although she recalls plenty about how much alcohol she consumed, investigators allege in a criminal complaint.

Hope Gallegos, 31, admitted drinking four beers, three shots of liquor and Long Island ice teas, a powerful mixed drink, before leaving her aunt's Albuquerque house Sunday morning, according to the complaint.

Gallegos's boyfriend also was there, and the aunt made up a bed for them so they wouldn't have to drive home. However the complaint quotes Gallegos as saying they wanted to have sex, so she decided to drive home to Belen with the boyfriend following her.

On the way she crashed he pickup truck just north of Peralta on State Road 47 bringing a power pole down on the cab and critically injuring her 16-month-old daughter.

Gallegos told investigators that when she regained consciousness her daughter was under the crushed roof and calling for her.

Gallegos couldn't find her cell phone, and no drivers stopped to help. So she picked up her daughter and walked to nearby home for help.

The residents drove her back to the crash scene where she was met by deputies.

The little girl was taken to University of New Mexico Hospital where a spokesperson late Tuesday said she continues to show signs of improvement.

Gallegos is charged with aggravated DWI and child abuse. She remains in jail on a $200,000 cash only bond.