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Court documents reveal state officer was involved in multiple accidents
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RIO RANCHO — The New Mexico State Police officer arrested Friday afternoon was actually involved in two accidents, according to the criminal complaint filed in Sandoval County Magistrate Court.
Hugo Diaz Amaya, 29, of Rio Rancho, is charged with driving while under the influence, two counts of reckless driving, and failure to give immediate notice of accidents, all misdemeanors. In a Friday release about the arrest, RRPD said the investigation revealed he is an officer with the NMSP.
According to the statement of probable cause, Diaz Amaya was involved in two crashes around 3 p.m. Friday that he left the scene of, the first near the Santa Ana Casino and the second near New Mexico Bank and Trust on Enchanted Hills Boulevard, striking road signs and multiple curbs. It also says he caused a crash on US 550 between NM 528 and the casino, where he allegedly went into oncoming traffic and a vehicle had to swerve off the roadway to avoid a head-on collision.
Police were able to track vehicle debris and marks. RRPD said in its release Friday that a deputy with the Sandoval County Sheriff’s Office located his vehicle with heavy front-end damage near the intersection of Lincoln Avenue and Enchanted Hills Boulevard.
The statement of probable cause says Diaz Amaya, while talking with police, had bloodshot and watery eyes, slurred speech and walked unsteadily, almost falling over. He denied drinking or consuming drugs but said he was on muscle relaxer for back pain, last using it the night before. He also admitted to crashing near the casino, saying he didn’t stop because he didn’t have insurance. He denied crashing near the bank, though debris was found at the scene.
Diaz Amaya agreed to take a field sobriety test, which “indicated impairment,” and he was arrested at 4:16 p.m. His breath test, administered at the Rio Rancho Police Department, resulted in 0.00 blood alcohol level, and he agreed to provide a blood sample, which was collected at 5:30 p.m.; results of that test were not available in the court documents.
“This news is disappointing and deeply concerning,” said NMSP Chief Troy Weisler. “I want to make it clear no one is above the law, especially those of us who have sworn to uphold it. While my officers are human and make mistakes, they are also held to a higher standard because of the trust placed in them by the community.”
Weisler said Diaz-Amaya was “immediately” placed on administrative leave and additional disciplinary action will be based on the findings of the investigation.
“I recognize that incidents like this can damage public confidence, and I will continue to stay committed to holding all my officers accountable for their actions. His conduct does not reflect the values and integrity that define a New Mexico State Police officer. Those who tarnish this badge have no place in this agency,” he said.
After getting medical clearance from a local hospital, Diaz Amaya was taken to the Sandoval County Detention Center, where he was released on his own recognizance.
