Two pedestrians killed in separate crashes

One investigated as hit-and-run

Two pedestrians were killed over the weekend in separate crashes on opposite sides of Taos County. One of them is being investigated as a hit-and-run.

On Saturday (Nov. 14), 43-yearold Destry Walsh of Tres Piedras was killed when a driver struck him in the middle of a dark section of U.S. Highway 258 near mile marker 285.

New Mexico State Police officers investigated the crash around 6 p.m. and met with the driver at the scene. They determined that the driver was not under the influence of drugs or alcohol during the crash and had been wearing a seat belt. The driver’s name will not be released by the department.

The following day, Sunday (Nov. 15), Taos County Sheriff’s deputies and medics responded to a report of a hit-and-run involving a pedestrian on Highway 196 near Costilla, New Mexico.

The pedestrian, 32-year-old Donavan Vigil, a Costilla resident, died of his injuries while medics were attempting to transport him to a medical facility, according to a press release from Taos County Undersheriff Steve Miera.

Deputies worked with the Costilla County Sheriff’s Office across the border to identify the possible vehicle involved in the crash in Garcia, Colorado, an unincorporated town.

The vehicle was seized and a suspect has been questioned, Miera said, but an arrest is pending further investigation.

“At this time we are continuing the investigation and should have resolution and an arrest warrant for the offender soon,” he wrote.