SANTA FE,, NM - The Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office announced that it has apprehended the suspect in a fatal hit-and-run incident that occurred on October 15.
In a Facebook post, the sheriff's office said that 29-year-old Mario Israel Mendez was taken into custody without incident Dec. 20 at about 5 p.m. He was wanted for a collision on Paseo de Nopal outside of Santa Fe in which a woman and her two children were struck by a vehicle that left the scene. The woman, 43-year-old Monique Maes, was pronounced dead the following day. The two children sustained minor injuries.
Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office deputies found the white SUV involved in the crash several miles away from the scene and linked it to Mendez.
Following his arrest, Mendez was booked into the El Paso County Jail pending extradition to New Mexico to face charges that include homicide by vehicle, tampering with evidence, abuse of a child, and duty to give information and render aid.
The sheriff's office extended its appreciation to the Dona Ana County Sheriff’s Office, New Mexico State Police, US Marshall’s Office and Texas DPS for their assistance in apprehending Mendez.
