Man charged for April I-25 hit-and-run death

SANDOVAL COUNTY — A man who allegedly left the scene of a spring car accident that killed a 78-year-old woman has been charged with crimes related to the incident crash.

Paul Frenier, 22, of Tesuque, was officially served with a warrant Aug. 19 for a fatal April accident on Interstate 25 near Budaghers in Sandoval County. He is being charged with homicide by vehicle, leaving the scene of an accident, aggravated DWI causing bodily injury or death and failure to maintain traffic lane at approximately 8 p.m. April 11.

According to an affidavit for arrest warrant, Sandoval County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a hit-and-run crash near milepost 257. Deputies found 78-year-old Elaine Trujillo pinned inside her vehicle, and EMS began rendering aid. However, she was pronounced dead at 10:55 p.m.

After the investigation of the scene was conducted, deputies determined that Trujillo was traveling south on I-25 when she was struck by another car. Evidence suggested the other vehicle was a blue Subaru. From tire marks, they determined the Subaru crossed onto the grass median and veered back onto the highway, striking Trujillo on her passenger side.

Not far from the scene, deputies were informed another crash occurred with a blue Subaru at milepost 245, about 12 miles south of the first crash. Santa Ana police at the scene and identified the driver as Frenier.

Police stated that Frenier’s account of the incident was not consistent with the evidence. He alleged that his right side was hurting, but police said the crash occurred on the left side of the vehicle. Officers detected substances consistent with marijuana, and Frenier also told officers he had a vape pen in the car. A blood analysis showed that Frenier had been intoxicated with methadone and fentanyl.

Frenier has a pre-trial detention hearing Sept. 5 in district court.