Pojoaque Pueblo Lt. Gov. Linda Diaz was the driver responsible for killing a pedestrian April 4 near Highway 84/285, according to a report released last week by the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Department.
Philip Espinoza, 31, of Chimayó, died as a result of the crash after suffering a massive skull fracture and brain injury, the report states. Diaz allegedly struck Espinoza during the early morning hours of April 4 just south of the intersection of State Road 503 and left him on the side of the road. Diaz allegedly called Pojoaque Tribal Police the following day and said she had “done something very bad,” the report states.
The report is the first public acknowledgement by any law enforcement agency that Diaz was involved in the incident. Her lawyer, Sam Winder, had told a reporter April 7 that Diaz was being investigated in connection with Espinoza’s death.
The Pojoaque Tribal Police and the Bureau of Indian Affairs have refused to comment on the incident.
Winder said Monday he had not heard from law enforcement whether she had been charged. U.S Attorney Luis Valencia would not say whether charges had been filed in the case, saying he couldn’t comment because the case is still under investigation.
Sheriff’s deputies matched a right-side mirror found next to Espinoza’s body to Diaz’s 2000 Mercury sedan, the report states.
Espinoza is believed to have been walking north on the northbound shoulder of Highway 84/285 near Private Drive 18134 when he was struck by Diaz’s vehicle from behind, the report states. The vehicle struck him on the left calf while the side mirror hit him in the waist. He had a three-inch laceration to the back of his head from striking the windshield, the report states.
The report states Diaz’s sobriety at the time of the crash as unknown and lists as contributing factors, driver inattention and improper driving.
Espinoza’s shoes, glasses, and Big Rock Casino employee identification card were scattered around the scene, according to a crash diagram. His shoes were knocked about 20 feet apart.
Espinoza had last been seen alive April 3 at Big Rock Casino. He finished work at 10 p.m. and stayed at the bar a few hours, according to the Department. His car was found April 4 at the casino parking lot.