A man was arrested for vehicular homicide Wednesday, Sept. 9 after police said he caused a crash that killed a woman in downtown Roswell.
Devon Joel Schinagel, 41, of Elephant Butte was arrested and charged with one count each of homicide by vehicle, aggravated driving while under the influence, concealing identity, reckless driving and failing to give immediate notice of accidents.
Schinagel is also charged with two counts each of knowingly leaving the scene of an accident and failing to give information and render aid.
The collision happened at about 4 p.m. at the intersection of North Main and East Fifth streets, when a 2026 Ford Maverick pickup truck, allegedly driven by Schinagel, struck a 2016 Ford SUV. Sandra Madero, 61, a passenger in the SUV, was transported to an area hospital, where she later died. The driver of the SUV, Luis Alonso Madero, 61, was also treated for injuries at the hospital, according to a news release from the Roswell Police Department.
Police are continuing their investigation of the crash, but early indicators are that speed and alcohol consumption were likely factors, the press release stated.
A criminal complaint filed in the case states that beer cans were found on the ground near the pickup and inside the pickup near the rear passenger door.
Surveillance camera footage from the intersection moments before the crash showed a pickup traveling south on North Main Street at a high rate of speed when it ran a red light and t-boned an SUV that was heading west on Fifth Street, read the complaint
After the crash, Schinagel emerged from his vehicle, took off his shirt and started walking north away from the crash scene, the complaint read. He was later found a block away at the intersection of North Main and Sixth streets.
When police sought a statement from Schinagel, he responded by saying the words “nutter buddy,” according to the complaint. He also allegedly refused to identify himself. Officers later learned his identity from his driver’s license. Schinagel also allegedly refused to submit to chemical testing, according to court records.
Timothy Wyatt, deputy district attorney, filed a motion to keep Schinagel detained pending trial, alleging that he is a flight risk and a danger to the community, court records state. A hearing on whether a judge will grant that request is scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 15, at 3 p.m.
