New Mexico National Guard captain and off-duty police officer accused of killing 2 in drunk driving wrong-way crash
May 6, 2021
Matthew Reisen
Albuquerque Journal, N.M.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — An off-duty police officer accused of driving drunk and killing two men in a wrong-way, head-on crash in the Albuquerque area last weekend is also a captain in the New Mexico National Guard.
Guard spokesman Joseph Vigil said the Guard is aware of the May 1 crash involving 29-year-old Capt. Brandon Barber — also a probationary officer with the Cuba Police Department — that left Diego Arellano, 21, and Alfredo Escaname-Hernandez, 50, dead and Fernando Arellano, 21, severely injured with a brain bleed and lacerated internal organs.
He said Barber has been with New Mexico National Guard for about 10 years.
“Our deepest condolences go out to the families who are affected,” Vigil said in a statement. “We are committed to ending the tragedy of drunk driving and alcohol abuse in our communities and amongst our ranks. Alcohol/substance abuse is inconsistent with the army values and impacts the readiness, safety and welfare of personnel within the New Mexico National Guard.”
https://popularmilitary.com/new-mexico-national-guard-captain-and-off-duty-police-officer-accused-of-killing-2-in-drunk-driving-wrong-way-crash/
