Jason Padilla Jr. family focuses on awareness after memorial destroyed

ALBUQUERQUE — Over Labor Day weekend, a driver crashed into Jason Padilla Jr. memorial near La Bajada and Atrisco in Albuquerque.

Jason’s father, Jason Padilla Sr., spent a day cleaning up the mess and restoring the memorial site.

“There’s tire track marks, tire curb marks. The median was destroyed. His cross was destroyed, and a bunch of his things were just everywhere from a car flying through,” Jason Sr. said, who also mentioned that there were liquor bottles all over the area. “Which is a shame because, he [Jason Jr.] was killed by a drunk driver, and they’re using it as a drinking spot.”

Sixteen-year-old Jason Padilla Jr. was killed by a drunken driver May 19, 2024, at the same location. He was a student at Rio Rancho High School and was supposed to graduate in May.

Jason Sr. noted that the stretch of road that approaches the La Bajada and Atrisco intersection is “downhill, and a very steep hill.”

“While I was there, I did see several people speeding, downhill, at noon,” Jason Sr. said.

The community has asked the city to put in speed bumps in the area but at this point, there are no plans to install speed bumps.

“I talked to the neighbors; they have asked the city to put in speed bumps or something like that, and they’ve gotten no traction,” Jason Sr. said. “It has kind of sparked an idea from me, and maybe that’s the next step.”

Jason Jr.’s family is working hard to bring awareness to drunk and distracted driving.

“My son isn’t the only one that has been lost to a drunk driver, unfortunately, in this state and nationwide. Whether they are drunk or distracted or just ignorant, we are looking to get some of these laws changed, speed bumps put in, and just bring awareness. We’ve grown used to it, which is a shame. It’s part of our culture, which is embarrassing. I’m trying to let them know that this isn’t OK, this isn’t normal,” Jason Sr. said.

In May 2025, Alan Castanon, the man responsible for killing Jason Jr., pleaded no contest to DWI vehicular homicide. Castanon will spend 12 years in prison and serve four years of supervised probation when he gets out.