EL PASO, TEXAS (KFOX14/CBS4) — A 37-year-old man was arrested on a child endangerment charge after his 12-year-old son was injured in an ATV crash on Monday, after investigators said the man allowed the child to drive the vehicle on a public roadway without being told the brakes were not working.
According to the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to a motor vehicle collision on Monday, Oct. 12, at the intersection of Cypress Street and Wahlen Lane.
Investigators determined that 37-year-old Jose Luis Lechuga allowed his 12-year-old son to operate an ATV on a public roadway without supervision.
According to the investigation, Lechuga also did not inform his son that the ATV’s brakes were not functioning.
The child struck a guardrail, sustained injuries, and was transported to a local hospital, where he was listed in stable condition.
Lechuga was arrested and charged with Abandoning/Endangerment of a Child. He was booked into the El Paso County Downtown Detention Facility on $10,000 bond.
“ATVs should not be operated on public roadways, and safety must always come first,” said Sheriff Oscar Ugarte. “Before allowing a child to ride, parents must ensure the ATV is in safe working condition, provide proper supervision, and make sure their child wears a helmet and appropriate protective gear. These precautions can help prevent serious injuries.”
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