Albuquerque, NM - One Critically Hurt when Driver Runs Stop Sign at San Pedro Dr & Bell Ave

Albuquerque, NM (March 28, 2023) - A young girl was critically injured after being involved in a crash with a stolen vehicle in Albuquerque on Monday, March 27. 

At around 7:45 a.m., it was reported that a state-owned police vehicle was stolen from the New Mexico Fairgrounds. The stolen Chevrolet SUV was traveling southbound at a high rate of speed when the driver ran a stop sign at the corner of San Pedro Drive and Bell Avenue. The motorist t-boned a gray Jeep. 

The 43-year-old man driving the Jeep and his 10-year-old passengers were hospitalized for treatment. The young girl was reportedly in critical condition. The driver of the stolen vehicle, later identified as 37-year-old John Eugene Bearden Jr., fled the scene but was later apprehended by authorities. 

An ongoing investigation into the cause of the crash is in progress. 

Our thoughts are with the injured victims and their families at this time. We hope for their full recovery.

Stop Sign Collisions in New Mexico

Traffic sign disobedience can result in fatal outcomes. Drivers not only endanger themselves when they fail to follow posted traffic signs. Serious injuries can occur to pedestrians, passengers, and other drivers. Almost 20% of all road fatalities each year between 1997 and 2004 were the result of collisions at crossings. Accidents at stop signs resulted in an average of 2,967 fatalities each year. Approximately 45% of the collisions and 48% of these accidents involved failure to yield.

Under New Mexico state law, the motorist who hit you in the car is accountable for any damages, including any injuries you could have experienced and any property damage you might have suffered in a car accident. Speak with an experienced attorney if you want to find out if you have a claim for compensation. Get legal counsel if you have been hurt in an automobile accident in New Mexico before speaking with the insurance company or signing a medical release.

If you seek competent advice from a reputable lawyer, you can avoid unintentionally hurting your case or waiving crucial rights. The majority of car accidents are the result of negligence or poor driving. Traffic code violations, distracted driving, and driving under the influence are a few ways a driver could be at fault in an accident. Assuring that your legal rights are protected and that you receive the full value of your personal injury claim is the responsibility of your attorney.

At Will Ferguson & Associates, we give every case we take on our entire attention, and our lawyers go above and beyond to give New Mexicans hurt in traffic accidents the best defense possible. Call our offices as soon as you can at (505) 243-5566 to schedule a consultation if you or someone you know has recently suffered injuries in an automobile accident that was the result of a careless motorist. Our Albuquerque car accident attorneys promise to employ all available legal means to assist you in obtaining fair compensation for your losses while holding the culpable parties accountable. We pledge to do every effort to facilitate a full recovery.