Euden Avila, 25, of Hobbs is being held on no bond at the Lea County Detention Facility. Avila has been charged in connection to a fatal crash in Hobbs killing a husband and wife on Mother’s Day. May 8.

After being arrested and then incarcerated on unrelated charges on Tuesday, May 10, Hobbs Police Department (HPD) detectives obtained a warrant and served it on Avila in connection with the fatal Mother’s Day accident.

According to a HPD press release, Avila is charged with “Homicide by Vehicle” and “Great Bodily Harm by Vehicle (2 counts)”. Both are Third Degree felonies. He is additionally charged with “Accidents Involving Death or Personal Injury”, a Fourth Degree felony.

HPD Responded

The press release reports that officers were dispatched to the 200 block of West Victoria Lane in Hobbs at 4:40 pm on Sunday, May 8. “in reference to a vehicle crash”.

“While Officers were conducting the investigation, they were notified by Dispatch of a three-vehicle collision with injuries at the intersection of south Dal Paso Street and east Stanolind Road in Hobbs involving the same vehicle. As Officers were responding to the intersection, they were notified via radio that the driver of the offender vehicle fled the scene on foot and headed westbound from the crash,” states the press release.

Witnesses at the scene of the incident told HPD officers that “the offender was a Hispanic male….” He was allegedly covered in blood. More officers were called to the scene of the accident to canvas the area, but the suspect was not located. 

EMS Responded

Hobbs EMS responded to the incident and transported the driver and passenger of the second vehicle to Covenant Health Hospital in Hobbs “…where they both succumbed to their injuries”. The victims were identified as Jerry Wrighter and Damitira Richardson, husband and wife.

At the scene of the accident, EMS staff treated for minor injuries and later released the driver of the third vehicle.

Avila’s Criminal History

HPD reviewed Avila’s criminal history and found that he has previously been charged with numerous offences including but not limited to: “Traffic Citations” ( 16 times), “Failure to Appear” ( nine times), “Resisting; Evading; Obstructing an Officer” (five times), “Driving While Under the Influence” (two times) and “Robbery”.

Public Urged To Help

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone having information about the incident is urged to contact the Hobbs Police Department at (575) 397-9265 or Lea County Crime Stoppers at (575) 393-8005.