A 61-year-old man, Vicente Vasquez, has been charged with homicide by vehicle and multiple other offenses after allegedly striking two pedestrians with his truck, killing one of them, and then fleeing the scene.
The tragic incident occurred in Sunland Park, New Mexico, just before the Fourth of July, leaving a family devastated by the loss of their loved one.
The Fatal Crash and Police Response
At around 10:45 p.m. on July 3, 2025, New Mexico State Police responded to a collision at the intersection of Sunland Park Drive and Appaloosa Drive. Investigators discovered that two pedestrians were attempting to cross the road when they were hit by a maroon Ford Ranger that was reportedly traveling at a high rate of speed.
One of the pedestrians was critically injured and was taken to a nearby hospital, while the other, 26-year-old Graciela Sahs, tragically died at the scene.
Vasquez’s Fleeing and Admission of Guilt
Law enforcement later located a maroon Ford Ranger concealed under a tarp at a residence in Sunland Park. The damage to the vehicle matched the description of the crash.
Authorities soon identified Vasquez as the suspect, and through interviews with family members, it was revealed that he had admitted to killing someone near a nearby casino. Vasquez allegedly told his family that he had “killed” someone but didn’t stop because he was “tired.”
When investigators confronted him, Vasquez admitted to being involved in the crash but claimed he believed he had hit a dog, not a person. He allegedly said he didn’t stop because he was tired and even attempted to hide the vehicle afterward. Vasquez’s niece reportedly tipped off the authorities, leading to his arrest.
The Family’s Heartbreak
The victim’s family, particularly her father, Nikolas Nava, expressed their devastation over the loss of Graciela Sahs. Nava shared his anger over the incident, particularly at Vasquez’s decision to flee the scene.
“Not only for taking away our daughter, but breaking her heart… he’s destroyed our family,” said Nava. Sahs was reportedly out buying fireworks for the Fourth of July when the tragedy occurred.
Nava also raised concerns over Vasquez’s history with the law, stating that he had been arrested for driving-related offenses before. “It’s OK to be scared, but stop. Or if you don’t stop, turn yourself in,” Nava said, expressing his frustration with Vasquez’s actions.
“But for the guy to run away like a coward, I don’t know. And knowing that it’s not the first time he’s gotten arrested for it… what was he doing behind the wheel?”
Charges and Legal Proceedings
Vasquez faces several charges, including homicide by vehicle, knowingly leaving the scene of an accident with great bodily harm or death, failure to give information and render aid, failure to give immediate notice of an accident, and tampering with evidence. He is currently in police custody, awaiting further legal proceedings.
The tragic death of Graciela Sahs has left her family devastated, and her death has raised questions about accountability and responsibility.
The actions of Vicente Vasquez, from the fatal crash to his decision to flee the scene, have only compounded the pain and sorrow of the Sahs family. As the legal process moves forward, the hope is that justice will be served for the life that was senselessly lost.
