ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – Sergio Almanza, the man accused of killing a seven-year-old boy and injuring his father while they were leaving the River of Lights in 2021, is headed to trial Monday.
According to court documents, Almanza is accused of driving a Can-Am off-road vehicle along Central and Tingley after drinking at El Sinaloense Mariscos and Grill. He hit and killed the boy.
Investigators said Almanza fled to Mexico after the crash and turned himself into the U.S. Marshalls a month and a half later.
As the defense and prosecution have been preparing for the trial, multiple motions have been filed by both sides on what can be talked about in court, like whether to allow certain witness testimony to be presented, last week the court was working on jury selection.
Almanza does have a criminal history that consists of drugs and gun charges as well as what prosecutors have called in the past “a reckless traffic history.”
The trial began on Monday morning at 8:30 a.m. with Judge Brett Loveless. If convicted, he could spend up to 27 years behind bars.
