ALBUQUERQUE, NM - A man has been sentenced in connection with a deadly crash that occurred on March 27, 2023 in southeast Albuquerque, KOB reports.
39-year-old John Bearden was sentenced to 22 years in prison and five years probation by Judge Jennifer Wernersbach. He will have to serve 85% of his sentence.
Bearden was arrested following the accident that left a 10-year-old girl dead and her father seriously injured. Authorities said Bearden stole a state-owned Chevrolet Suburban from the New Mexico State Fairgrounds, went through a stop sign and crashed into another vehicle at the intersection of San Pedro Drive and Bell Avenue.
The man and his daughter inside the other car were taken to an area hospital, where the girl passed away from her injuries three weeks later. Bearden allegedlly fled the scene on foot before he was found hiding in a shed and was apprehended.
Bearden pleaded guilty in August to charges of DWI vehicular homicide, DWI great bodily harm by vehicle, knowingly leaving the scene of a crash involving great bodily harm or death, and stealing a vehicle.
Our Albuquerque car accident lawyer will update this news blog with any additional information as it comes to light.
