An Albuquerque man has been charged with vehicular homicide that resulted in the death of a UNM student.
Jacob Salazar, a freshman mechanical engineering major on a full academic scholarship, was killed in January during a car accident while driving on Coors Boulevard and Las Estancias Court.
The other driver, Robert Lucero, was booked on Feb. 19 for vehicular homicide, involving a DWI, the Bernalillo County District Attorney’s Office said. He was arraigned with a one hundred thousand dollar cash or charity bond. The DA’s office is preparing to present the case to a jury, but Lucero has not yet been indicted.
Sam Mascarenas, a former teacher of Salazar’s as well as his football coach at Rio Grande High School, was on vacation when he heard Salazar had passed away at the hands of a drunk driver.
“I was devastated,” he said. “Jacob had an amazing personality. He was outgoing, fun, energetic and enthusiastic.”
Mascarenas said he had known Salazar for four years.He said stricter laws could have prevented Salazar’s death.
“Awareness [about drunk driving] starts early,” Mascarenas said. “I truly believe that awareness has had some influence on the situation, but the major cause for New Mexico still having these horrific incidences are the lack of accountability in our laws that are in place. Tougher laws and penalties can curve and discourage this type of behavior.”
Interim Dean of Students Jenna Crabb did not know Salazar personally, but said it is always awful to lose a student to this type of incident.
“It deeply affects our Lobo community,” she said. “Our condolences go out to his family. We, as a Dean of Students Office, reached out to his family after learning about this tragedy. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.”
Crabb said UNM provides counseling services for those affected by loss.
“It can be a difficult time. There are many resources available,” she said.
Mascarenas said a few RGHS photography students created a sidewalk mural to commemorate Salazar outside of an art class at the high school.
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Mascarenas will also be remembering Salazar in his own special way, he said.
“He loved Skittles candy, so maybe before every football game, I will eat a bag of Skittles for Jacob,” he said.
Mascarenas said Salazar was an individual of great character, a fact which manifested itself one day during class.
“Another student was being a little rude and spitting sunflower seeds on the floor in the weight room. When the class was over, Jacob asked for a broom and swept up the mess,” he said. “I remember telling him, ‘You don’t have to do that,’ and he said, ‘Coach, it’s no problem.’”
Elizabeth Sanchez is a reporter for the Daily Lobo. She can be reached at news@dailylobo.com or on Twitter
@Beth_A_Sanchez.
