Luna County Sheriff's deputy charged with homicide by vehicle
Homicide by vehicle charges were filed against Luna County Sheriff’s Deputy Paul Garcia for his role in an accident that killed a 14-month-old boy in Deming. Court documents say that in November 2023 Isabella Hernandez was driving on Highway 11 when she was struck by Garcia in his marked patrol unit, killing the 14-month-old boy. He said he and an officer in training were responding to a burglary call in Deming and police say he reached 130 miles per hour. The family’s attorneys said New Mexico State Police say Garcia’s vehicle moved into the opposing lane as Hernandez turned and slammed into her at 99 mph. The law firm says Hernandez suffered fractures to her collarbone, pelvis, ribcage, wrists, liver bleeding, and nerve damage in the crash. The 14-month-old was pronounced dead with blunt force trauma being the cause of death. “I remember slowing down before the intersection and turning on my blinker. And my life changed forever. I became unconscious when he hit us. I
