APD Arrests Man for Hit-and-Run Crash that Killed Pedestrian

Albuquerque –

On March 26th, 2025, at approximately 10:26 PM, a vehicle versus pedestrian collision occurred near Tramway Blvd NE and Cloudview Ave NE, involving a gray Buick SUV. Emergency dispatch reported that the pedestrian was unconscious and not breathing, and the involved vehicle fled the scene. Upon arrival, officers found the victim deceased in the roadway.

The Albuquerque Police Department has arrested 38-year-old Jonathan Gallegos of Albuquerque for the fatal crash. Gallegos is also known as Jonathan Anthony Gachupin, as per court records and the MDC Booking Sheet.

According to a criminal complaint, a witness, who was walking with the victim southbound along Tramway Blvd, stated that they were on the shoulder of the road, and the victim was carrying a flashlight. The witness reported that a gray or black SUV struck the victim near the opening of the roadway.

The complaint goes on to say, the impact threw the victim forward, and the SUV continued southbound before turning west onto Panorama Pl NE. The witness recognized the vehicle by its heavy damage and described the driver as a light-skinned male, but could not provide any further details due to the vehicle passing quickly.

The complaint says, On-Star informed authorities that a vehicle involved in the collision was parked at 557 Tramway Blvd NE. On-Star connected to the vehicle but could not communicate with the driver. Another witness called saying they heard a male screaming near 557 Tramway Blvd NE, claiming that he had just killed someone and there was a SUV with heavy front end damage.

APD officers responded to the location and found the silver Buick SUV with extensive front-end damage, total airbag deployment, and its four-way flashers activated, backed into a parking bay. The vehicle was registered to Jonathan Gallegos.

Officers conducted further investigation and located Gallegos’ mother and sister lived at an apartment at 557 Tramway Blvd, which is the same address listed on his driver’s license. Officers briefly spoke with Gallegos’ sister, who informed them that Gallegos was not at home but would contact him.

Shortly after, Gallegos returned to the location and was detained.

An anonymous caller contacted emergency services and reported that his friend had told him he was involved in a vehicle collision and believed he might have killed a child.

The complaint goes on to say, Gallegos immediately acknowledged, “That’s my vehicle.” When asked if he wanted to speak further, Gallegos responded, “As far as I can go.” He then asked police if the collision was fatal and they confirmed that it was. According to the criminal complaint, Gallegos stated, “I didn’t mean to hurt anybody, dude, I didn’t. I didn’t know what happened. All of a sudden, somebody got in front of my fucking car, man, and it happened, and I freaked out. I didn’t know what happened. I was just coming southbound on fucking Tramway, and all of a sudden, somebody was in front of my fucking car, and I hit them. I didn’t mean to hurt nobody, I didn’t mean that.” Gallegos admitted to fleeing the scene, parking the vehicle, and walking away.

When asked about his alcohol consumption, Gallegos stated, “That was hours ago,” and clarified that he had consumed a 20-ounce IPA beer around 10:00 PM, approximately 20 minutes before the collision. Given his admission of drinking, the APD DWI Unit was contacted, and officers obtained a blood draw warrant for further evaluation.

As of this writing, Gallegos has been charged with Leaving the Scene of an Accident Resulting in Death. However, additional charges may follow depending on the blood test results.

Gallegos Faced Some Charges Over the Years, Pleads Guilty in Certain Cases, Charges Dropped in Others

In 2005, Gallegos, booked and charged under the name Gachupin, purportedly faced charges for Shooting Inhabited Dwelling, Shooting At or From Motor Vehicle (Causing Injury) and Aggravated battery (DW/GBH). The prosecutor dismissed the charge of shooting an inhabited dwelling, but Gallegos pleaded guilty to shooting at or from a motor vehicle (causing injury) and aggravated battery (Deadly Weapon/Great Bodily Harm), both of which were third-degree felony charges.

Gallegos allegedly faced charges for DWI First Offense, Not Driving Within Traffic Lane, and Driving Without a Valid Drivers License in August of 2007. In October 2007, he pleaded guilty to DWI First Offense as part of a plea deal, and the prosecutor dismissed the other charges per the plea agreement. Given that this was Gallegos’ first DWI conviction, the license revocation period is one year, per the New Mexico Motor Vehicle Department’s (MVD) website. According to the MVD, individuals convicted of DWI after 2005 have their DWI conviction recorded on their driving record for a period of 55 years. This 2007 conviction was roughly 17 years and 6 moths ago.

In 2019, Gallegos was booked and charged with Battery (household member) and Intentionally Placing Child Morals When Child is Impaired. However, as is common in many domestic violence cases, the victim chose not to proceed, and the charges were dropped.

**The individuals mentioned in this or other ABQ RAW reports are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.**

You can read our initial coverage on this crash below: