Post by Scumhunter on Nov 11, 2021 1:33:18 GMT -5
(Above photo credit: taosnews.com via Taos County Crime Stoppers)
From taosnews.com:
Frank McAleer, a 72-year-old wanted in connection to an Oct. 5 car crash in Taos County that killed Julia Downs, of Albuquerque, has gone missing.
Taos County Sheriff Jerry Hogrefe said in an update this week that his office issued a warrant for McAleer's arrest, charging him with homicide by vehicle, a third-degree felony; reckless driving, speeding, driving without insurance, driving with a suspended license; and improper display of registration, all petty misdemeanors.
Hogrefe said that a crash reconstruction conducted by New Mexico State Police showed that McAleer was driving a Ford Expedition exceeding 80 miles per hour when he rear-ended Downs' vehicle which was waiting to make a left-hand turn on US-64 West near 10,000 Wags Pet Resort early last month. Downs was pronounced dead at the scene.
Downs had recently relocated to Taos from Albuquerque to serve as a prosecutor with the 8th Judicial District. Her husband, Karl Jürisson, was shot and killed outside their Albuquerque home in broad daylight this past June.
Hogrefe stated McAleer admitted to eating food while driving, and to smoking “a bowl” of cannabis the morning of the accident. In an on-scene interview conducted with McAleer, Hogrefe said the 72-year-old said he did not see the vehicle’s brake lights in front of him and mentioned that the food he was eating “went all over.” The affidavit states there were no “brake, skid, or yaw marks prior to the point of impact," leading investigators to conclude that McAleer wasn't paying attention to the road.
McAleer was transported from the scene by Taos County Emergency Services and later airlifted to University of New Mexico Hospital in Albuquerque to be treated for minor injuries.
Hogrefe said he issued the arrest warrant on Nov. 4, but deputies have been unable to local McAleer, who is currently listed as a missing person by the Taos County Sheriff's Office.
“Anyone with information as to his whereabouts is asked to call dispatch at (575) 758-2217 or they can call Crime Stoppers at (575) 758-HALT, or go online at taoscountycrimestoppers.org,” said Hogrefe in an email.
www.taosnews.com/public-safety/man-wanted-in-fatal-crash-goes-missing/article_d5b60fea-dd49-5dfb-ad3a-3540b5993f3f.html
Thoughts? Based on the above article's posting date, McAleer was still at large at least as of November 10th, 2021.
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