Employer Warning Leads to Arrest in Deadly Highway 550 Hit-and-Run Near Farmington

LAS CRUCES – A suspected impaired driver is facing multiple felony charges following a fatal hit-and-run crash Sunday morning in northern New Mexico, according to the New Mexico State Police.

Investigators say officers were first alerted around 10:30 a.m. on March 29 after an employer contacted authorities with concerns that one of their employees might be driving a company vehicle while under the influence of alcohol and possibly traveling toward the Farmington area. While responding to that report, State Police received updated information redirecting units to a crash involving an overturned commercial vehicle on New Mexico Highway 550 near mile marker 106 in Rio Arriba County.

Authorities report that an off-duty Texas police officer witnessed the crash and immediately stopped to provide assistance. The witness told investigators that a second vehicle fled the scene after the collision. The driver of the overturned commercial vehicle, identified as 55-year-old Jasper Bunny of Farmington, suffered serious injuries. He was transported by helicopter to a local hospital, where he later died from those injuries.

State Police say the suspected fleeing driver, identified as 34-year-old Crescencio Castro Baldazo, was located a short distance away near mile marker 103. According to investigators, citizens at the scene prevented the man from leaving and reported that he appeared to be intoxicated. Officers later determined he was the same individual previously reported by his employer for suspected impaired driving.

Castro Baldazo was taken into custody and booked into the Rio Arriba Detention Center. He is charged with homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs, leaving the scene of an accident involving great bodily harm or death, failure to maintain traffic lane, careless driving, and possession of an open container.

New Mexico State Police officials say the investigation remains ongoing. They also expressed appreciation to the off-duty Texas law enforcement officer and the citizen who intervened, noting that their quick actions helped provide aid to the victim and ensured the suspect was held at the scene.

All persons mentioned in this report are to be considered innocent until proven guilty by a court of law.