By KRWG News
Las Cruces – The 35-year-old Las Cruces woman critically injured in a Jan. 7 motorcycle crash on Valley Drive has died.
Bernadine "Nina" Aguilar was pronounced dead on Friday, Jan. 13, at University Medical Center of El Paso. Aguilar had been at the hospital since Jan. 7.
Las Cruces Police traffic investigators learned that Aguilar was a passenger on a motorcycle driven by 33-year-old Eliberto "Tito" Ruiz. The motorcycle crashed shortly before 9 p.m. on Jan. 7 near the intersection of Valley Drive near Avenida Blanca.
Investigators believe Ruiz lost control of his motorcycle after it was clipped by another motorcycle driven by 31-year-old Ricardo Madrid. Madrid's passenger fell off his motorcycle but she was not seriously injured. Madrid then drove away from the crash though he was located by officers later that night. Madrid, Ruiz and a third motorcyclist who was traveling with them, 32-year-old Adan Sanchez, were arrested on charges of driving while intoxicated.
The motorcyclists were not wearing helmets and alcohol is believed to be a contributing factor in the crash. Additional charges are still possible.