VADO, N.M. (KFOX14/CBS4) — Charges against a mother involved in the deadly crash in Vado, New Mexico, have been dismissed without prejudice due to a violation of court procedure, according to court documents.
The Doña Ana County District Attorney’s Office says it plans to refile the case.
The charges were dropped on Friday.
According to the documents, upon the release of her first appearance, it appears that the order of her conditions of release was amended and signed by the arraigning judge, but not the defendant. It also stated that her address in the document had a missing space.
The New Mexico State Police had previously reported that 33-year-old Christina Escobedo Arriaga was arrested after allegedly driving drunk and crashing a 2007 purple Dodge Charger in August, resulting in the deaths of a 15-year-old and a 12-year-old, including her own daughter.
New Mexico State Police officials also confirmed that the 12-year-old was the daughter of Escobedo Arriaga.
Another 15-year-old was injured but survived.
The crash happened at around 6:50 p.m. in the area of 8100 Highway 478.
Mugshot of Christina Escobedo Arriaga. Credit: Dona Ana County
NMSP said the Dodge Charger flew off the roadway, hit a light pole, a chain-link fence, and a tree before coming to a crashing stop on the front yard of a home.
Home surveillance video appears to have caught the moments before the tragic crash.
NMPS said the two kids were pronounced dead on the scene by the Office of the Medical Investigator, while Arriaga and a second 15-year-old passenger were taken to the hospital.
Investigators said the contributing factors in the crash and the deaths were alcohol and improper seatbelt use, adding that the surviving 15-year-old appeared to have been using his seatbelt properly.
The Doña Ana County District Attorney’s Office released the following statement:
The court dismissed the case due to a procedural issue involving the grand jury process. Specifically, the court determined that the required target notice – while appropriately sent to both the defendant and defense counsel – did not include the complete address for the defendant, as it omitted a space or unit number. Although notice was otherwise provided, the omission was deemed sufficient grounds to grant the defense’s motion to dismiss.The dismissal was issued without prejudice, meaning the charges can be refiled. We fully intend to do so immediately and are actively preparing to present the case to a grand jury again on November 4, 2025. We remain committed to pursuing this matter and ensuring it proceeds appropriately.
KFOX14/CBS4 asked the Doña Ana County District Attorney’s Office who is responsible for filling out the target notice that’s sent to the defendant and the defense counsel and is waiting to hear back.
Arriaga was originally charged with:
Two counts of Homicide by Vehicle (Driving While Under the Influence of Intoxicating Liquor or Any Drug)One count of Great Bodily Harm by Vehicle (Driving While Under the Influence of Intoxicating Liquor or Any Drug)Two counts of Intentional Abuse of a Child Resulting in DeathOne count of Abuse of a Child Resulting in Great Bodily HarmOne count of Driving While Under the Influence of Intoxicating Liquor
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