77° and Overcast
Image
On August 10th, 2025, at approximately 6:50 p.m. New Mexico State Police responded to a single-vehicle crash in the area of 8100 Highway 478.
The vehicle, a 2007 purple Dodge Charger driven by Christina Escobedo Arriaga (33) of Mesilla Park, New Mexico, was traveling southbound on State Road 478. The vehicle was occupied by Arriaga and three juveniles, ages 15, 15, and 12. The vehicle was traveling south when it left the roadway, struck a light pole, a chain-link fence, and a tree before coming to a stop in the front yard of a residence on Highway 478.
A 15-year-old passenger was transported to a local area hospital to be treated for their injuries. Tragically, the other two additional passengers, ages 15 and 12 years old, were pronounced deceased on scene by the Office of the Medical Investigator.
A seat belt appeared to be properly utilized by the surviving juvenile passenger. Seatbelts did not appear to be properly utilized by the remaining occupants in the vehicle. Based on the investigation, alcohol is considered to be a contributing factor in the crash.
Arriaga was transported to a local hospital in Las Cruces to be treated for her injuries and later booked into the Dona Ana County Detention Center, where she is charged with the following:
Two counts of Homicide by Vehicle (Driving While Under the Influence of Intoxicating Liquor or Any Drug)
One count of Great Bodily Harm by Vehicle (Driving While Under the Influence of Intoxicating Liquor or Any Drug)
Two counts of Intentional Abuse of a Child Resulting in Death
One count of Abuse of a Child Resulting in Great Bodily Harm
One count of Driving While Under the Influence of Intoxicating Liquor
This crash remains under investigation by the New Mexico State Police.
More News from Alamogordo
- New Mexico Supreme Court Law Library Named Best in the Nation Santa Fe library honored as 2026 Federal Depository Library of the Year for keeping the law within reach of every New Mexican
- Alamogordo Goes Black & Gold for AHS Homecoming Week Parade Friday, Oct. 2, at 3 p.m.; Tigers host Mayfield at 7 p.m.
