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A tragic road rage incident in New Mexico resulted in the death of a teenager who was en route to pick up his mother from work on Thursday.
According to KOAT 7, the altercation unfolded on San Mateo Boulevard, near Phoenix Road, shortly before 2 p.m.
Surveillance cameras recorded a Mustang, operated by 31-year-old Cecilio Lopez, executing a U-turn and obstructing the path of 19-year-old Roman Valenciano’s Nissan. The Albuquerque Police Department reports that Lopez allegedly fired shots from his silver Ford Mustang, tragically taking Valenciano’s life.
Valenciano was declared dead at the location.
Authorities revealed that Lopez had been “brake-checking” Valenciano, abruptly stopping his car in the road.
As both cars continued southbound past Constitution, Lopez allegedly accelerated alongside the Nissan near Tully’s restaurant.
Detectives believe Lopez then fired into the other vehicle, causing Valenciano to drift to a stop as the Mustang fled the area.
Investigators noted that the silver Mustang returned to the vicinity of the crime three separate times while officers were processing the scene.
Police utilized license-plate recognition technology to identify the vehicle and link it to Lopez, who was discovered to be on probation for a prior felony conviction.
After tracking the car to a residence in the North Valley where Lopez had been staying, detectives executed a search warrant and apprehended the suspect.Â
Lopez now faces several serious charges: an open count of murder, shooting at or from a motor vehicle resulting in death, tampering with evidence and possession of a firearm by a felon.
KOB 4 reports Lopez’s interaction with law enforcement dates back to 2012, when he was charged with the murder of a 17-year-old.
The charges against him were later dismissed.
[Feature Photo: Cecilio Lopez/Albuquerque PD]