Mom in near-fatal crash has jail record

BELEN, N.M. (KRQE) - The woman accused of driving drunk when she crashed into a pole nearly killing her toddler on Sunday is no stranger to jail cells, KRQE News 13 has learned.

Hope Gallegos, 31, has been arrested on multiple occasions spending most of her time in jail for failing to appear in court, a News 13 review of court records revealed.

Gallegos crashed her pickup truck into a pole early Sunday morning near her home outside Belen. The pole came down right on top of her child who was admitted University of New Mexico Hospital in critical condition.

Gallegos' 16-month-old daughter is now reported to be off a ventilator and in stable condition. Doctors are optimistic she may be able to leave the hospital by the end of the week.

Court records track Gallegos problems with the law:

• 2000: Gallegos is convicted of shoplifting and of failure to show her license and insurance.  She doesn't show up to court on some of the charges and was found in contempt. Time in jail: three days.
• 2001: Gallegos is found guilty of not providing insurance on two different occasions and for not having her license. Again she doesn't show up to court and doesn't pay her fines. Time in jail: two days.
• 2002: Traffic and littering convictions are the least of her problems. She is also busted with an open liquor container. Time in jail: two days.
• 2004: Gallegos still without insurance or a license is charged twice and again skips court and paying fines. Time in jail: 12 days.
• 2005: Gallegos again fails to appear in court to answer more traffic citations. Time in jail: One day.
• 2007: Gallegos pleads no contest to not having one of her children properly strapped in while in her vehicle.

In the latest case investigators alleged they found beer cans and prescription drugs in Gallegos's truck.
News 13 also has learned Gallegos has been investigated for her parenting skills before. A check with the state Children, Youth and Families Department revealed the agency has investigated her twice.

CYFD would not release the conclusion of those investigations. However a state source told News 13 there appears to be a pattern of drug and alcohol abuse.

Now CYFD is investigating Gallegos after this latest brush with the law.

Friends and people in Belen who dealt with Gallegos and her children described her as an attentive and protective mother. They told News 13 they never expected this.