Two Pedestrians Struck by Suspected DUI Driver in Santa Fe, NM

Santa Fe, NM (June 17, 2026) – Two pedestrians were hurt on Tuesday night, June 16, after a suspected drunk driver struck them on a sidewalk on the south side of Santa Fe. Santa Fe police said officers arrested a 21-year-old man at the scene.

The driver was operating a Dodge Ram when he left the roadway and hit the couple on the sidewalk. A 59-year-old woman suffered a broken arm, while a 47-year-old man suffered a broken wrist in the crash.

Emergency crews took both pedestrians to a local hospital for treatment. Officers arrested the driver on suspicion of driving while intoxicated.

Officials had not released further details about the wreck at the time of publication. The investigation into the accident remains ongoing.

We hope both pedestrians make a full and steady recovery.

Who Pays My Medical Bills After a DUI Crash in Santa Fe, NM?

If a drunk driver hits you in Santa Fe, NM the driver’s liability insurance should be the first source of payment for your medical bills. That claim may cover emergency care, hospital treatment, follow-up visits, medication, and therapy. The driver’s arrest does not erase the insurance coverage.

Once you leave the hospital, keep every bill, prescription, discharge paper, and therapy note. Broken bones, including fractured arms and wrists, can require weeks of follow-up care. Clear records help prove what the crash has cost you.

When the driver’s policy does not cover everything, your own uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage may help. In New Mexico, UM/UIM coverage can cover the gap between the at-fault driver’s policy and your actual losses. That protection can matter when treatment lasts longer than expected.

Across Santa Fe, pedestrians use busy roads near Cerrillos Road, St. Francis Drive, and the south side shopping areas every day. DUI crashes in these areas put people on sidewalks at serious risk. A vehicle that leaves the road can cause serious injuries in seconds.

Because New Mexico follows pure comparative fault, an insurer should not blame someone who was lawfully walking or standing on a sidewalk. You were where you had the right to be. That fact can strengthen your claim for full medical costs.

Even if insurance covers treatment, a DUI crash may also support a punitive damages claim. New Mexico allows punitive damages when a driver shows reckless disregard for others’ safety. Driving drunk and leaving the roadway may meet that standard.

A Santa Fe pedestrian accident lawyer can deal with the driver’s insurer, look for added coverage, and pursue punitive damages when the facts support them. Insurance companies may delay claims or undervalue injuries. Legal help keeps the process moving.

Our team at Will Ferguson & Associates helps pedestrians across New Mexico seek medical costs and other losses after DUI crashes. We can review your case and explain each payment source that may apply.

If you were injured in a DUI crash in Santa Fe, you can call Will Ferguson & Associates at (505) 308-1458 for legal guidance.