Posted on Nov 13, 2024

Arrest made in Albuquerque crash that killed motorcycle rider

ALBUQUERQUE, NM - The driver suspected in a crash that killed a motorcyclist on San Mateo Boulevard in Albuquerque on Nov. 6 has been arrested, police told KRQE.

Investigators said the driver of a Vespa Primavera motorcycle was turning out of a gas station parking lot into the roadway when the bike was struck from behind by an Infiniti Q60 near Candelaria Road.  The Vespa driver, identified as Christopher Sanford, died at the scene.

Police said they have arrested the other driver, 19-year-old Eliazar Torres, on charges of homicide by vehicle and reckless driving.  Witnesses said the Infiniti was speeding through a red light prior to the crash.  

Though Torres told police he believed he was driving 50 miles an hour, Albuquerque police said their data showed him driving 75 miles an hour less than two seconds prior to impact.

Our Albuquerque car accident lawyer will update this news blog with the latest information as it is made publicly available.