Russian Maniac Trucker’s Patience is Tested During Fatal Crash Investigation of Deputy

Albuquerque –

47-year-old Taur Mourzagaliev allegedly of Houston, Texas is accused of driving like a mad man during a fatal crash investigation.

Around 6:11 AM, local law enforcement agencies were investigating the fatal crash that claimed the life of Bernalillo County Sheriff Sergeant Michael Schlattman. Sgt. Schlattman was hit by a semi-truck during a traffic stop near mile marker 170 westbound I-40 the day prior.

Mourzagaliev had no regard for the fatal crash investigation. A recently obtained criminal complaint states a deputy observed a semi-truck traveling at a high rate of speed on the left shoulder without its headlights illuminated, and it was continuously sounding its air horn. The driver cut off multiple vehicles, forcing motorists to brake in order to avoid a collision. The psycho driver then went all in and used the right shoulder to pass additional traffic before merging back into the number two lane.

BCSO deputies saw the threat to the crash investigators and the public so they conducted a traffic stop near mile marker 170. According to the criminal complaint, BCSO deputies made a passenger-side approach to the semi, formally identified themselves as being with the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office, and observed the driver flipping off deputies. The trucker was then seen retreating into the sleeper area of the cab and closing the curtains. Additional deputies arrived and established a perimeter.

Mourzagaliev, climbed into the upper, second story sleeping compartment, looked out at deputies, and again flipped off the deputies. Mourzagaliev refused sheriff commands to exit his truck. With charges pending and the driver refusing to comply, deputies received approval to forcibly remove Mourzagaliev from the semi truck.

The complaint states that deputies used a window breaker and other less-lethal tools to gain compliance. However, Mourzagaliev eventually exited the sleeper area and attempted to move toward the driver’s seat. A deputy deployed a Taser which neuromuscularly incapacitated Mourzagaliev. Deputies entered the cab and took Mourzagaliev into custody after a brief physical struggle.

BCSO released body camera from the incident and it shows Mourzagaliev speaking with deputies in a thick Eastern European accent.

Deputies arrested Mourzagaliev on several charges including: reckless driving, resisting, evading and obstructing, failure to maintain lanes, driving without lights, improper use of horn, failure to signal, expired driver’s license, failure to register a vehicle, no insurance, and improper display of registration.

Mourzagaliev was transported by BCSO Deputies to the East Area Command Center and then to the Metropolitan Detention Center for booking.

This incident is separate and unrelated to the crash that claimed the life of beloved and respected BCSO Sgt. Schlattman. However, during a press conference held around 12:30 AM, BCSO Sheriff John Allen addressed safety concerns along this corridor and emphasized the need for motorists to exercise greater caution when traveling through the area.

According to MDC and NMCourt records, Mourzagaliev was released on his own recognizance (ROR). His booking sheet indicates he was born in Moscow, Russia, and currently resides in Michigan. However, the criminal complaint states that he holds a Texas-issued driver’s license, which is reportedly expired per the charges, and the complaint lists a Texas address as his residence.