Drunk Driver Fleeing Crash Scene Turned in by Father Who Calls Police

A 34-year-old man from Albuquerque, New Mexico, has been arrested for allegedly causing a fatal crash while driving under the influence and fleeing the scene. Demetrius Thomas is accused of hitting and killing a pedestrian with his gray Ford SUV near Central Avenue NE and Texas Street SE on September 25.

After the incident, Thomas reportedly drove to his apartment instead of stopping at the accident site. Bystanders attempted to provide CPR to the victim while waiting for emergency services. When police arrived, Thomas's father flagged them down and pointed towards a gray SUV driving away from the area, identifying it as the vehicle involved in the crash.

In a conversation with his father recorded by law enforcement, Thomas admitted to having consumed alcohol before the incident. His father urged him to return to the scene of the accident, stating, "You hit somebody. You don't know if they're hurt or not, you gotta go back over there." The elder Thomas then called police and pointed out his son's vehicle, telling officers, "Come over here because he's the one who f—ing did it."

Surveillance footage from an Albuquerque Transit bus corroborated the father’s account. It showed Thomas’s SUV traveling erratically along Central Avenue before striking a pedestrian who was crossing the road. The victim is seen running and then being hit by the vehicle on its passenger side, resulting in her death upon impact.

During questioning at the scene, Thomas initially denied consuming any alcohol or drugs that could impair his driving ability but later admitted to having had "one shot of Admiral Nelson around 9 a.m." before the crash. He claimed he was traveling at the speed limit and stepped on the brakes when the pedestrian ran into his car, expressing fear during the incident.

Police conducted field sobriety tests which Thomas failed, leading investigators to determine that he was impaired while driving. As a result, Thomas has been charged with homicide by vehicle due to DWI (driving under the influence) and knowingly leaving the scene of a death.

This case highlights the critical role family members can play in holding individuals accountable for their actions, even when those actions are criminal. It also underscores the dangers of drunk driving and the importance of reporting such incidents immediately to law enforcement.