Former Albuquerque officer gets 3 years in fatal hit-and-run case

Ezekiel Florez was sentenced Wednesday to three years in prison in 2nd Judicial District Court by Judge Cindy Leos after pleading guilty to leaving the scene of a fatal crash and tampering with evidence. Nearly a year earlier, a motorcycle he was riding struck and killed Daniel Trujillo on Central Avenue near Coors Boulevard.

The crash happened shortly before 7 p.m. on May 22, 2025, as Trujillo, 37, was crossing the street. Florez’s motorcycle clipped him at a high rate of speed, leaving Trujillo with extensive head trauma, including exposed brain matter. He was taken to University of New Mexico Hospital and remained in a coma for weeks before dying on July 4, 2025.

Florez initially faced a homicide by vehicle charge before pleading guilty in May 2026 to knowingly leaving the scene of an accident and tampering with evidence. He resigned from the Albuquerque Police Department in July 2025. His attorney, Jose Sandoval, did not immediately comment after the sentencing.

Florez and his passenger, another off-duty APD officer, were both sworn members of the department at the time of the crash. APD spokesman Gilbert Gallegos said Florez and Krystal Garcia had been on the force for just over a year and graduated from police academy in February 2024. Neither officer called 911 or rendered aid immediately after the collision.

Garcia was indicted on one count each of knowingly leaving the scene of an accident involving great bodily harm and tampering with evidence. Her case remains pending, with a hearing scheduled for Friday in 2nd Judicial District Court. Court records show both officers returned to the crash scene hours later, after Garcia contacted another officer.