Pedestrian Killed on U.S. Highway 64, Two Arrested in Connection

San Juan County deputies responded early on December 22 after a motorist reported a pedestrian lying in the far right lane of U.S. Highway 64. The pedestrian was found with serious injuries and later died. The deceased has not been publicly identified.

Investigators arrested two people connected to the scene. Jose Alexander, 31, of Farmington, was booked on a second degree felony vehicular homicide charge related to driving under the influence, and he was cited for driving without a license and for driving without insurance. Deputies reported a strong odor of alcohol in the vehicle and conducted field sobriety testing on Alexander. A blood draw warrant was obtained as part of the investigation. Karina Hernandez Rios, 36, of Farmington, was charged with tampering with evidence after investigators say she discarded alcohol containers at the scene. A preliminary hearing is scheduled in Aztec Magistrate Court.

The case highlights procedural steps that shape how serious traffic fatalities are handled in San Juan County. Arrests and a blood draw warrant indicate investigators are seeking toxicology evidence to establish impairment at the time of the incident. The magistrate hearing will determine whether the case proceeds to district court. For families and community members, these initial actions set the timeline for accountability and for any civil addresses of the loss.

Beyond the individual case, the incident underscores public safety questions along U.S. Highway 64. Residents and local officials must weigh enforcement strategies, roadway design, lighting and pedestrian safety measures in a corridor that carries local traffic and connects multiple communities. Elected officials set law enforcement budgets and transportation priorities that affect how quickly safety improvements and enforcement adjustments can be made.

Community engagement can influence those decisions. Attending public meetings, monitoring court proceedings and communicating with county commissioners and law enforcement leadership are direct means for residents to press for changes aimed at preventing future tragedies. The coming magistrate hearing will provide an early public view of the evidence and procedural next steps in this case.