Video shows aftermath of fatal Albuquerque crash involving MDC corrections officer

Gustavo Garcia and Erick Varela died in an Albuquerque collision involving an off-duty jail guard facing no charges. Newly obtained video recordings capture the aftermath along the darkened frontage road. The incident occurred on May 21 just past 1 a.m. near the Metropolitan Department of Corrections.

The collision happened along the eastbound frontage road of I-40. Garcia and Varela died instantly at the scene. Friends and relatives witnessed the impact.

Family members had gathered on the mesa to celebrate a vehicle purchase. Varela bought a new Can-Am off-road vehicle earlier that day. The vehicle broke down partially on the roadway.

Garcia and his family arrived to help replace a broken belt. Garcia’s wife jumped clear of the approaching vehicle. She described the impact to deputies.

“It was crazy, I don’t even know how I am here,” she said.

Video recorded at the scene showed heavy darkness in Albuquerque along that stretch. One deputy noted the lack of light.

“I mean you can’t…I was standing next to that unit and you can’t see it. You can’t see any of them,” the deputy said.

Another witness echoed that account to a different deputy.

“No, it didn’t even, it was pitch black. I didn’t see nothing, I just heard it,” the witness said.

The guard told investigators his speed was 45 to 50 miles per hour. He stated he never saw the pedestrians.

“I didn’t even see them bro,” the MDC employee said.

“I didn’t even have time to turn cause I see lights, and I just to the side. And everything hit me, the can-am, parts and I don’t know what,” Garcia’s wife said.

Deputies said angry relatives attacked the driver. The worker fled on foot. He waited for patrol units.

“I was begging them to stop. I didn’t want to like leave,” the employee told deputies.

The Metropolitan Department of Corrections operates the county detention facility on the west mesa. Sheriff deputies review physical evidence and driving conditions during traffic crash inquiries. The investigation remains open.

Deputies made no arrest at the Albuquerque scene. A roadside memorial now marks the location for Varela and Garcia. Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office officials said the employee faces no charges and remains employed at MDC.