Las Cruces Man, 22, Charged in Stolen-Car Crash That Injured Las Cruces Woman

Allegedly... Angel Torres-Tovar, 22, of Las Cruces was booked into the Doña Ana County Detention Center on March 12, 2026, on felony counts of great bodily injury by motor vehicle and receiving or transferring a stolen vehicle, along with a misdemeanor count of fictitious license plates, according to jail records. The arrest followed an investigation into a crash at Juniper Avenue and Paxton Street, and bond is listed at $5,000. According to Organ Mountain News, the crash occurred February 6, 2026, near North Highway 28 and Plant Science Circle, and a woman identified as Mistri Lopez was airlifted to University Medical Center in El Paso with serious injuries. The outlet reported that investigators found blood on the steering wheel and ignition damage consistent with vehicle theft, and that Torres-Tovar was later located at a local hospital with a head laceration and seatbelt burn. The same report said Torres-Tovar told investigators he had been under the influence of fentanyl and claimed the victim had been driving. Prosecutors are seeking pretrial detention, citing the severity of the injuries and prior failures to appear, according to Organ Mountain News. Charges are allegations; Torres-Tovar is presumed innocent unless and until a court finds otherwise.