NM police officer gets new attorney

CLOVIS, N.M. (AP) - Quay County District Attorney Ron Reeves will prosecute a Clovis police officer charged with vehicular homicide.

Curry County District Attorney Matt Chandler says he is transferring the case against Officer Stephen Gallegos to avoid any appearance of a conflict. Chandler says every prosecutor in his district has a "strong professional relationship" with the Clovis Police Department.

The 33-year-old Gallegos was indicted on vehicular homicide and other charges in the Nov. 17 death of 56-year-old Mary Castillo of Clovis. Another woman was critically injured when authorities say Gallegos' cruiser — traveling 56 mph in a posted 35 mph zone — ran a stop sign and crashed into a pickup truck.

Gallegos was not injured.

Gallegos' attorney, Dan Lindsey, says his client is struggling with the crash and is remorseful.

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Information from: Clovis News Journal