Charges to be increased in fatal DWI crash

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - Mariano Salaz, the man police say drove drunk and crashed into a family car that ended up killing a toddler, is scheduled to be in court on Wednesday. 

It's expected his charges will be increased to vehicular homicide and bond increased to $100,000 cash only.

Salaz was initially arrested and booked into jail after the crash and later bonded out .  After Vicente Griego was taken off life support and died, the Bernalillo County District Attorney's Office decided to step up the charges. 

Griego, 2, died last Friday after suffering head injuries in the August 25 crash.

Detectives say Griego was in the backseat of his parent's car going south on Coors that Saturday morning when Salaz plowed into the vehicle from behind, then took off.

The criminal complaint also states that Salaz's car was going south in the northbound lanes when he struck another vehicle which injured that driver and Salaz also hit a cop car before coming to a stop.

An alcohol breath test at the scene showed Salaz's level to be at a .16 or above, which is twice the legal limit for presumed intoxication.

Vicente's dad, Jonathan Griego, said he hopes Salaz gets punished for what he did and that he deserves to die like his son.

KRQE News 13 made a call to Mariano Salaz's father for comment on his son's appearance in court, but he hung up the phone.

The appearance is scheduled for 3 p.m. on Wednesday in front of a Metro Court judge.

Vicente Griego was kept alive long enough for doctors to donate his organs to at least nine other children who needed them.