Heather Mariah Grace Funk and Earnest Thomas Fudge, the couple believed to be in the 2010 Volkswagen Passat that struck two pedestrians Monday evening near the intersection of Espina Street and Arizona Avenue, were arrested late Thursday afternoon by Las Cruces police.
Funk, 40, and Fudge, 34, both had warrants issued for their arrests. Shortly before 5 p.m. Thursday they turned themselves in at the Las Cruces Police Department.
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. Valenciano, 43, was pronounced dead on scene. A 60-year-old man was in critical condition when he was rushed to an area hospital. The 60-year-old victim was later transported to University Medical Center of El Paso.
Traffic investigators believe both pedestrians were walking together and crossing Espina Street, heading west, when they were struck by the Volkswagen that was heading south on Espina. Traffic investigators believe Funk was driving the VW with Fudge as her passenger.
The VW fled from the area but was located by police later that evening. The car had significant damage consistent with it being involved in the hit-and-run.
Investigators obtained a search warrant on the VW and located documents inside the car that belong to Funk and Fudge.
Funk is charged with two felony counts of leaving the scene of a crash that causes great bodily harm or death and two felony counts of failure to stop and render aid. Fudge was arrested on warrants charging him with a felony count of harboring or aiding a felon, two misdemeanor charges of assault against a household member and one misdemeanor count of larceny.
Funk and Fudge are each being held without bond at the Dona Ana County Detention Center.
Earlier post:
Las Cruces Crime Stoppers is now offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information that helps police locate the occupants of a vehicle that struck and killed a man on Monday evening.
Heather Mariah Grace Funk, 40, and 34-year-old Earnest Thomas Fudge were believed to be in the 2010 Volkswagen Passat that struck two pedestrians Monday evening near the intersection of Espina Street and Arizona Avenue. Funk and Fudge both have warrants issued for their arrests.
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. Valenciano, 43, was pronounced dead on scene. A 60-year-old man was in critical condition when he was rushed to an area hospital. The 60-year-old victim was later transported to University Medical Center of El Paso.
Traffic investigators believe both pedestrians were walking together and crossing Espina Street, heading west, when they were struck by the Volkswagen that was heading south on Espina. The VW fled from the area but was located by police later that evening. The car had significant damage consistent with it being involved in the hit-and-run.
Investigators obtained a search warrant on the VW and located documents inside the car that belong to Funk and Fudge.
Funk and Fudge are believed to be traveling together and may be still be in the Las Cruces area.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Funk and Fudge is asked to call Las Cruces police at (575) 526-0795.
Tips can be provided anonymously by calling Las Cruces Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477. Tips can also be provided through the Las Cruces Crime Stoppers app, “P3 TIPS.” The app is available through the App Store on most devices.
Informtion from NMSU