Posted on May 09, 2023

Suspect in deadly Albuquerque accident ordered to remain in jail

ALBUQUERQUE, NM - A judge has ordered the suspect charged in a fatal accident in Albuquerque to remain in jail as he is awaiting his trial, reports the Albuquerque Journal.

37-year-old John Bearden was arrested for the accident on March 27 that left a 10-year-old girl dead and her father seriously injured.  Authorities said Bearden stole a state-owned Chevrolet Suburban from the New Mexico State Fairgrounds, went through a stop sign and crashed into another vehicle at the intersection of San Pedro Drive and Bell Avenue.

The man and his daughter inside the other car were taken to an area hospital, where the girl passed away from her injuries three weeks later.  Bearden allegedlly fled the scene on foot before he was found hiding in a shed and was apprehended.

Bearden is facing multiple charges, including vehicular homicide, aggravated driving while intoxicated and leaving the scene of an accident.  He pleaded not guilty Monday in an arraignment via video from the Metropolitan Detention Center and was ordered by Judge Joe Montano to remain behind bars.