Albuquerque boy’s hit-and-run death prompts outcry over ATVs

ALBUQUERQUE — Albuquerque police are planning to address the issue of illegal all-terrain vehicles traveling on city streets in the wake of a boy's hit-and-run death.

Police along with officials from New Mexico Game and Fish will address the issue with a news conference mid-day Monday.

Off-road vehicles are illegal to use on Albuquerque streets. But residents say that hasn't stopped people from violating the law. Police say they issue tickets in these cases and have the ATV towed away.

Concerns have turned into outrage after the death of 7-year-old Pronoy Bhattacharya earlier this month.

The boy and his family had left River of Lights at ABQ BioPark on Dec. 12 when a man on an ATV hit him and his father. The family was in a marked crosswalk and had the right of way.

The child died while his father suffered serious injuries. He is expected to recover.

Albuquerque police say an arrest warrant has been issued for the driver. Investigators believe he was drunk at the time of the incident.