Posted on May 02, 2023

Drivers cited in crash involving Taos County Sheriff's deputy

TAOS, NM - A Taos County Sheriff's Office deputy and another driver received citations after their vehicles collided earlier this month, reports the Santa Fe News Mexican.

The crash happened April 11 in the vicinity of Este Es Road and Paseo del Pueblo Sur in Taos at about 6:12 p.m.  According to the sheriff's office, Deputy Jeffrey Vargas was speeding as he tried to make it through the intersection before the light turned red. His patrol vehicle crashed into a vehicle driven by Virginia Mondragon.  Both drivers were injured and taken to Holy Cross Medical Center.

It was later determined that Vargas was driving 75 miles per hour in a 45 mile per hour zone at the time of the accident.  He received citations for speeding and not wearing a seat belt.  Mondragon was cited for careless driving.

It was not clear whether Mondragon was also trying to beat the light at the intersection, authorities said, though she was not speeding.  The sheriff's office said she had alcohol in her system but below the legal limit for driving. Vargas tested negative for alcohol and controlled substances.