Scattered among the broken bottles and garbage bags littering the vacant lots on the the corner of Unser and Kimmick lies hastily discarded medical waste, evidence of an alleged DWI-related hit and run that resulted in injuries to two bicyclists the morning of Saturday, July 9.
According to a criminal complaint filed in Metropolitan Court, Albuquerque Police Department officers responded around 10 a.m. to a crash at the corner of Unser and Kimmick and found two injured cyclists. One suffered severe head trauma due to the incident and was taken by ambulance to University of New Mexico Hospital. An APD news release stated that the injured cyclist is still in critical condition.
The second cyclist, who suffered minor injuries and was treated at the scene, remained and provided police with a description of the vehicle. Shortly after, Rio Rancho police pulled over Mollie Duran, 31, in a gray Hyundai sedan at the corner of Southern and Unser due to a severely damaged windshield.
The Albuquerque Journal’s Matthew Reisen reports that, “Duran told the officer the windshield had been hit by a rock but he noticed fresh glass shards on the seat. Police said fabric that matched the cyclist’s clothing and hair could also be seen in the windshield cracks and Duran smelled of alcohol. Duran chose to remain silent but was given a breath test, which showed her over the presumed level of intoxication.”
An APD DWI officer arrived shortly after the stop to place Duran under arrest.
Police said the cyclists, whose names have not been released, were in the northbound bike lane at the time of the accident. Charges for Duran are still pending.
Police did not immediately respond to the Neighborhood Journal’s request for comment. According to the Albuquerque Journal, the investigation is still ongoing.
This story was written by Neighborhood Journal contributor Taylor Hood.
