By Uriel J. Garcia
The Santa Fe New Mexican
SANTA FE, N.M. — A Rio Arriba County jail guard resigned Monday after state police said he caused a drunken-driving crash that killed two men Thursday on U.S. 84.
Justin Romero, 26, of El Rito was arrested and booked into Santa Fe County jail on two felony counts of vehicular homicide while under the influence of alcohol and on a misdemeanor count of resisting an officer, the New Mexico State Police said in a news release.
Romero was driving a 1997 Ford pickup, traveling northbound on U.S. 84 in Rio Arriba County, when he crossed into the southbound lane and struck a 2004 Pontiac sedan head on, authorities said. The two occupants in the Pontiac were pronounced dead on the scene. Police have identified the victims as Leo Gurule, 23, of Española and Carlos Archuleta, 45, of Santa Cruz.
Online jail records show Romero was released Monday afternoon. Rio Arriba County Detention Facility Director Larry Deyapp said Romero was suspended without pay before he resigned.
Online court records show Romero was charged with possession of an open container in June 2013, but the case was dismissed.
Deyapp said Romero was off duty Thursday when the fatal accident occurred.