A Durango High School student, who was severely injured in a head-on collision north of Aztec, reportedly caused the crash that killed an Aztec man and severely injured his two children and wife.
Braxton Waddell, 17, of Hesperus, was cited with careless driving and speeding. He also did not have proof of insurance for the blue 2019 Ford F-150 Raptor he was driving. The crash occurred at 11:49 a.m. Oct. 27 on U.S. Highway 550 near mile marker 163.
New Mexico State Police determined that Waddell caused the crash by “traveling southbound in the northbound lanes of traffic on U.S. 550,” the report states. The case will be forwarded to the 11th Judicial District Attorney’s Office for review.
Waddell reportedly was “going straight” driving the “wrong way” at 67 mph in a 55 mph zone when he struck a white 2011 Ford F-150 head-on, according to the crash report from the New Mexico State Police.
New Mexico State Police report that “driver inattention,” and “other improper driving,” on the part of Waddell, caused the crash that killed Robert Garcia, 38, and injured his wife, Catherine Garcia, 38, and their 15-year-old daughter and 11-year-old son, the report states.
Robert Garcia died at the scene, while Catherine suffered “multiple fractures, a broken left leg” and “abdominal injuries.” She was flown to UNM Hospital in Albuquerque for treatment, according to the report.
Both Garcia children suffered internal injuries and also were flown to UNM Hospital for treatment.
Waddell suffered a “fractured back and some abdominal pain,” the report states.
NMSP officers state in the report that they attempted to speak with Waddell regarding the crash, but “his parents spoke for him and advised he did not remember anything about the crash,” the report states.
Waddell’s parents also reportedly “advised they would not answer any questions without a lawyer present,” according to the report.
NMSP also stated in the report that because there were “no obvious signs of impairment,” the crash reconstruction team would not respond. Officers did note the weather was clear and they “did not observe tire or skid marks on the roadway from either vehicle.”
