GRANTS, N.M. – A horrific accident on July 20 killed two adults and injured their two daughters in Grants, New Mexico. Grants Police Department arrested one man, Tyrone Apachito, for allegedly fleeing a police officer while under the influence of alcohol.
Grants Police Department has released limited details as of press time about the accident.
The July 20 accident is the second major incident to occur in the City of Grants as the result of a pursuit. The first major accident occurred on May 11, when a high-speed pursuit through the city ended with a traffic light pole on the intersection of Santa Fe Avenue and NM Highway 53 destroyed.
According to GPD, the July 20 crash occured after multiple calls about a drunk driver, and after GPD officers witnessed Apachito’s vehicle allegedly narrowly avoid crashing into several civilian vehicles, police went to intervene. The most recent destruction left a local family torn apart. A father, Reynaldo Heredia and his wife, Alexis Heredia, died as a result of the accident. Their children, two girls, survived the accident with injuries; the girls’ biological mother is still alive.
The crash occurred on Roosevelt Avenue where the speed limit is 35. While they are not releasing details, GPD did say the drunk driver reached high speeds on the road.
GPD Chief Jeff Marez explained the crash in a statement:
“My name is Jeff Marez, Chief of Police with the City of Grants, I am here today to give you a short briefing on the events that led to the passing of Reynaldo and Alexis Heredia, and the injuries to their two children.
“First, I want to say that our prayers and hearts go out to the family and to all those impacted by this terrible tragedy.
“On Wednesday July 20, at approximately 7:39 PM officers received a dispatch about a dark Grey/Black Chevy Impala driving at a high rate of speed swerving in and out of traffic. Officers were told the driver was possibly Hispanic or Native American last seen traveling East on Santa Fe. Ave. Officers checked the area and did not locate the vehicle at that time.
“A second call was received of a disturbance at Elm Park. While en route to the area one of the responding officers observed a dark in color Chevy Impala traveling in the officer’s lane, nearly crashing into the officer. The vehicle continued on Roosevelt at a high rate of speed and the officer lost visual. A short time later, the same officer observed the dark Grey Impala driving at a high rate of speed passing other vehicles and placing oncoming vehicles in harm’s way. The officer engaged his lights and sirens in an attempt to stop the vehicle. The vehicle then came to a stop near Sergeant and Third Street. While the officer was attempting to conduct a high-risk traffic stop the driver fled. Dispatch was notified along with other responding officers.
“The on-duty Sergeant who was parked at the nearest intersection with his emergency lights activated was nearly struck by the fleeing vehicle. The vehicle turned left and was traveling into oncoming traffic. Still at a high rate of speed, the driver almost crashed head on into another officer responding to the area. Two other vehicles were also nearly struck by the driver who was still traveling in the opposing lane of travel now on Roosevelt Ave. The gray Impala then crashed into three vehicles at the intersection of Elm and Roosevelt one of which was occupied by the Heredia family.
“The officer observed a male subject standing outside the Grey Impala with the driver side door open. This was the same subject the officer observed as the driver on his high risk stop, later identified as Tyrone Apachito. He was immediately detained and placed in the back of a patrol vehicle.
“As first responders were rendering aid to the Heredia family, Reynaldo and Alexis Heredia appeared to have died upon impact. Their two children who were in the back seat, had to be extricated and were flown to an Albuquerque hospital in critical condition.
“Tyrone Apachito was arrested and is currently being charged with several felonies including two counts of vehicular homicide. This is an ongoing investigation and other charges are pending.
“Due to the severity of the crime and sensitivity of the investigation I will not be taking any questions.
“Thank you.”