Ranchos de Taos cyclist remembered
Deluvino Casías – lovingly known as “Tuti” – was a lifelong resident and local icon of Ranchos de Taos. Known throughout the community for the nicknames he gave people and his random acts of kindness, Casías seemed to bring joy everywhere he went. Traveling the town on foot or via bicycle, the 61-year-old would drop donuts off at the Taos Men’s Shelter, sweep hair at his favorite barber shop and generally spread his positive attitude.
Tuti’s life was cut short just after 2 p.m. Tuesday, (Dec. 16) as he was biking south into Ranchos de Taos. The Taos County Sheriff’s department responded to an initial report of a red Ford F-150 that drove up onto the curb and hit a cyclist at the southside Speedway gas station.
Upon arrival, the cyclist was found laying unresponsive in the southbound lane, and was later identified as Casías.
Deputies identified the driver of the truck that allegedly caused the fatal crash as Henry Samora of Taos Pueblo. According to a press release from the Taos County Sheriff’s Office, witnesses said Samora was driving “in an aggressive manner prior to the crash.”
Samora attempted to leave the scene with a friend when sheriff’s deputies arrived, according to court records filed in the case. He was detained and taken to the local hospital, where he was later arrested. He was charged with one count of homicide by vehicle – a third degree felony – and may face other charges as the crash is still under investigation. The district attorney’s office has filed a pre-trial detention hearing and Samora is currently being held at the Taos County Adult Detention Center.
Casías’ loss was felt throughout the community following the news of his death. A candlelight vigil held Friday (Dec. 18) at the Speedway where the incident occurred gathered a significant crowd. It was clear his impact in the community had been strong.
“Anywhere you would go in town, somebody would tell a story about him,” recalled his daughter Jennifer Mondragon. “He was just a loving man, he was always happy.” She said she had “a lot of people coming up to me telling me that he loved me.”
Tamara and Tony Casías also remember their “Uncle Tuti” fondly. “He had a great personality. He lived life to the fullest,” said Tamara. She and her brother described their uncle as an eccentric character who wore many hats over the years. From fighting fires and masonry work to volunteering at his church, he kept himself busy.
Tony Casías held similar sentiments. “Every time he would come back from a fire, that’s like the first thing he would do. He would go and get his haircut and then get his car and shine it up. That was his thing for many years,” he joked.
Above all, Tuti Casías’ relatives say his generous and loving personality is what they will miss the most. “He was a people person. He got along with everybody. I don’t ever really remember him having any enemies,” said Tony Casías.
Tamara Casías also recalls that her uncle “was just always offering some kind of service of some sort to people. I don’t have anything bad to say,” she said, fighting back tears. “My kids loved him to pieces.”