A recent social media post by El Paso County Sheriff Oscar Ugarte details a fatal traffic crash that has left a local family mourning the loss of a loved one; the collision, involving a black Ford Focus and a black Chrysler 300, occurred at the intersection of Montana Ave. and Desert Meadows Rd. on December 6. According to El Paso County Sheriff Oscar Ugarte, the information released suggests that the driver of the Chrysler, identified as 29-year-old Gerard Anthony Nelson Jr., ran a red light and struck the Ford, critically injuring its occupants and leading to the death of 60-year-old Lucia Villa.
Preliminary investigations prompted the involvement of the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office Special Traffic Investigators, who’ve taken over due to the crash’s severity; the repercussions for Nelson are severe, having been charged with one count of Intoxication Manslaughter with Vehicle plus two counts of Intoxication Assault with Vehicle (Serious Bodily Injury). His total bail has been set at a steep $650,000, indicating the gravity of his offences. This tragedy occurred in broad daylight, around 3:13 p.m., underscoring the perilous nature of irresponsible driving.
With the holiday season shadowed by this incident, El Paso County Sheriff Oscar Ugarte emphasized the critical impact of making responsible choices: “This tragic loss is a heartbreaking reminder of why it is so important to never drive while intoxicated,” he asserted in a statement, he highlighted the poignancy of the situation, a family now has to cope with an irreplaceable void during a time traditionally filled with joy and togetherness, underscoring the continuing importance of road safety and sober driving…