Police are continuing to investigate Monday evening’s hit-and-run crash that claimed the life of a 43-year-old Las Cruces man and critically injured a second man near the intersection of Espina Street and Arizona Avenue.
About 8 p.m. Monday, Sept. 21, Las Cruces police and fire were dispatched to the report of two pedestrians who were struck by a vehicle that fled from the area of Espina and Arizona. Officers arrived to find the two victims. One of the victims, 43-year-old Jaime Valenciano, was pronounced dead on scene. A 60-year-old man was rushed in critical condition to an area hospital.
Traffic investigators believe both pedestrians were walking together and crossing Espina Street, heading west, when they were struck by a vehicle heading south on Espina. The vehicle that struck the pedestrians fled from the area and was seen by a witness heading south on Espina toward University Avenue. The vehicle was described as a gray or silver sedan.
Police temporarily cordoned off portions of Espina Street and Arizona Avenue during the investigation. Both roadways have since been reopened to traffic.
Anyone who witnessed the crash or may have information pertaining to the hit-and-run vehicle is asked to call police at (575) 526-0795.
Information from Las Cruces Police