POSTED BY: ABQ RAW staff
POSTED ON: 12/30/2023 @ 8:00AM
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Mark Castello, 62 of Albuquerque
Albuquerque –
On December 27th, 2023, Mark Castello smoked “a bowl” of Methamphetamine and “a bowl” of weed. He climbed into a 4 ton Ford Excursion and began his drive around an Albuquerque neighborhood.
Two minutes away from Castello’s listed home address on the 1400 block of Marcella Street, lived a beloved grandpa, father, and husband, Brian Peterson who lived at 10912 Mahlon Ave. On this day Peterson sat in his favorite chair, enjoying a quiet Thursday afternoon with his wife, Jean just after Christmas and before the New Years holiday.
Castello’s drug and alcohol induced rage apparently lead him to drive at a high rate of speed directly into the Peterson home. The Ford Excursion driven by Castello slammed into the 10912 Mahlon Ave. N.E. garage. Castello crashed through the garage and it sent the Peterson’s own parked car all the way through the home into living room where Peterson was sitting. It crushed Mr. Peterson in a violent crash sequence underneath his own car pinned against his living room wall. Albuquerque Fire Rescue had to diligently perform a high risk rescue with Mr. Peterson still alive.
Castello was also rescued from the wreckage with minor injuries through the back of his vehicle. According to an Albuquerque Police Department’s criminal complaint, Castello stated, he illicitly uses oxycodone, hydrocodone, and morphine for pain management for his back and legs. He also admitted he consumed an unknown amount of these drugs and had several shots of liquor/spirits and beer.
APD officers found open alcohol beverage containers and a drug glass pipe inside Castello’s vehicle during their investigation.
Castello is facing multiple charges, including DWI resulting in death, driving with a revoked license, possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of a controlled substance.
When we checked NM Courts, Castello, 62, has had other prior DWI charges dating back to 1992. There was a DWI charge filed on 02/13/1992, 06/20/1992, 12/07/1992, 04/15/1993, and 09/17/1993. Castello also has two domestic violence/DWI charges one in 1994 and one in 1996. Castello has numerous charges of battery against a household member spanning from 1992 to 2015.
The Petersons have set up a GoFundMe as extensive damage to the family’s home has rendered it uninhabitable. When we met with them yesterday, they said that they had to have the water and other utilities shut off due to the damage. Reportedly, they are needing a structural engineering study to assess the home’s condition and determine the necessary repairs.
An emotional interview with the Brian’s wife, Jean, and daughter, Tiffany, can be seen on our YouTube page, or you can click to watch it below, this video also documents the damage done to the Petersons residence.
The Peterson family GoFundMe link can be found HERE: