Authorities in Albuquerque have made another arrest in connection with the deliberate hit-and-run that targeted a bicyclist, resulting in the death of 63-year-old physicist Scott Dwight Habermehl. The latest suspect, a teenager who was 15 at the time of the May 2024 crash, was identified as the fourth person in the stolen car that struck and killed Habermehl as he was biking to work at Sandia National Laboratories.
The other suspects involved in the incident included a boy who had just turned 11 and two other teenagers. Video footage of the crash, captured from inside the car, was circulated on social media and eventually reported to authorities earlier this year by concerned individuals, including a middle school principal.
During the investigation, several people came forward to identify the fourth suspect’s voice in the video that was shared online. Despite initially denying involvement during an interview with police, the teenager had reportedly shared details about the crash and the police investigation with friends through social media conversations.
It is important to note that the Associated Press does not typically name individuals under the age of 18 who are accused of a crime. The case has garnered significant attention from both Democratic Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham and Republican lawmakers and prosecutors, who have been urging the state legislature to address the issue of juvenile crime in New Mexico.
Despite promises to take action, Governor Grisham has yet to call a special session to convene lawmakers and discuss potential new legislation in response to the recent surge in juvenile crime. The tragic death of Scott Dwight Habermehl serves as a sobering reminder of the impact of such incidents on the community and the urgent need for effective measures to address and prevent such crimes in the future.
