Las Cruces woman accused of fleeing police while driving drunk, nearly hitting pedestrians twice
A Las Cruces woman is accused of fleeing police while driving under the influence, nearly striking pedestrians twice during a pursuit that ended with a PIT maneuver. Prosecutors are seeking pretrial detention.
Pursuit ended after tire deflation device and PIT maneuver; prosecutors seek to keep her jailed
Damien Willis, Organ Mountain News
LAS CRUCES - A Las Cruces woman is accused of fleeing police during an early morning pursuit while driving under the influence, nearly striking pedestrians twice before officers used spike strips and a PIT maneuver to stop her vehicle.
Lorena R. Chavez, 45, faces three felony counts of aggravated fleeing a law enforcement officer, along with charges of driving while intoxicated (drugs) and concealing identity, according to court documents.
The incident began around 12:53 a.m. March 17, when a Las Cruces police officer observed a white Volkswagen Tiguan swerving near South Espina Street and University Avenue, according to a statement of probable cause.
Police activated emergency lights and sirens, but Chavez allegedly failed to stop and continued driving.
Minutes later, another officer located the vehicle near Main Street and University Avenue and again attempted a traffic stop. Chavez allegedly continued to flee, driving erratically through traffic lanes and failing to obey traffic signals. During that encounter, the vehicle nearly struck a pedestrian walking along the sidewalk, placing the individual in immediate danger.
A third officer later observed the vehicle traveling above the speed limit and swerving between lanes near South Solano Drive. Chavez again refused to stop and continued fleeing, nearly striking a second pedestrian, according to court documents.
Officers deployed a tire deflation device, which punctured the vehicle’s tires. Chavez allegedly continued driving on flat tires through residential areas before officers used a PIT maneuver on University Avenue to bring the pursuit to an end.
Police detained Chavez at the scene. She allegedly refused to provide her identity and instead gave officers a false name, “Esther Rodriguez de Chavez,” according to the affidavit.
Officers observed Chavez to be in a lethargic state and exhibiting signs consistent with impairment. She later consented to a blood draw at a local hospital.
Prosecutors have filed a motion seeking Chavez’s pretrial detention, arguing that no release conditions would reasonably protect the safety of the community. The motion cites the defendant’s alleged disregard for public safety, including the near-collisions with pedestrians and continued flight from police even after her vehicle was disabled.
Court records indicate Chavez was already on conditions of release in another case at the time of the incident.
A judge ordered Chavez held in custody pending further proceedings, and the case has been transferred to district court for a pretrial detention hearing scheduled for 1:30 p.m. March 26 before Judge Conrad Perea.
Damien Willis is founder and editor of Organ Mountain News. If you have a personal story to share or a lead we should follow up on, reach out at OrganMountainNews@gmail.com or connect with him on X at @damienwillis.
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