Albuquerque man charged with killing mother of two girls

TOME — An Albuquerque man has been charged in a DWI-related homicide which left two young Valencia County children orphaned.

Richard Gutierrez Molina, 37, of Albuquerque, is charged with homicide by vehicle (DWI), a second-degree felony; two counts of great bodily harm by vehicle (driving while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug), third-degree felonies; and driving with a revoked license, a misdemeanor.

According to the criminal complaint, Molina was driving southwest on South El Cerro Loop on Sunday, Nov. 16, at a high rate of speed. He crossed over into the oncoming lane of traffic, hitting a gray Honda sedan head on.

The driver of the vehicle, Veronica Ferraro, 38, of Los Lunas, was killed in the crash and her two children, ages 12 and 7, sustained what were described as “significant, life-threatening injuries” in a Nov. 19 press release from the Valencia County Sheriff’s Office.

The children were transported to an Albuquerque hospital and, according to court documents filed on Nov. 21, the younger child was in critical condition.

“The children’s father passed away several years ago, leaving no immediate guardian following their mother’s death. Deputies established contact with close relatives and arranged for a family member to act as a temporary guardian,” the press release from VCSO reads.

Deputies were dispatched to the intersection of El Cerro Loop and Sandhill Road in Tomé at about 3:30 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 16, for a reported head-on crash. When deputies arrived, they found a white 2008 Ford F-250 pickup belonging to Molina and a gray 2022 Honda sedan, belonging to Ferraro, both with extensive front-end damage.

Court documents indicated Molina had slurred speech and watery, bloodshot eyes. He told officers he had three beers that day and three 25-ounce open containers of Dos Equis beers were found at the crash scene. A passenger in Molina’s pick-up told investigators he’d seen Molina drink two beers and take a shot of tequila prior to getting behind the wheel.

According to the petition for pretrial detention filed by 13th Judicial District Deputy District Attorney Robyn Simms, Molina has continually been charged with new crimes since his first felony convictions in 2018.

“The defendant poses a significant danger to the public if he is released,” Simms wrote in the motion. “Since 2012 the defendant has been charged with DUI related offenses on three separate occasions both in the state and out of state, and has at least three prior convictions for DUI. This is the defendant’s fourth charge of DUI.”

Simms continues, noting Molina has also pleaded guilty to charges involving operating a motor vehicle without an interlock device.

Preliminary and pretrial detention hearings for Molina are scheduled for 11 a.m., Friday, Nov. 28, before 13th Judicial District Court Judge James Lawrence Sanchez, according to online court records.

Witnesses described the Ford’s speed as excessively high, with one stating the victim “never had a chance to react because of the curve,” according to the VCSO press release. Molina’s passenger told officers their speed was “way too fast,” comparing it to highway speeds.

When he was arrested, deputies found Molina was driving on a revoked license related to a previous DWI. He admitted to drinking to the deputies on scene, and refused standardized field sobriety tests and a mandated breath test.

A search warrant for a blood draw was obtained and a blood sample was collected. Molina was taken to an Albuquerque hospital for treatment. He was discharged from the hospital on Thursday, Nov. 20, and booked into the Valencia County Detention Center the same day.

“This tragedy was not an accident; it was the direct result of repeated decisions to drive impaired. Mr. Molina’s long history of DWI related offenses underscores the devastating reality that habitual impaired driving is one of the most serious and preventable threats to public safety in our county,” wrote VCSO Sheriff Denise Vigil in the Nov. 19 press release. “One mother lost her life, and two children are now fighting for theirs. They have lost both parents, and their lives will never be the same.

“On behalf of the Valencia County Sheriff’s Office, we extend our deepest condolences and unwavering support to these children and their family. Our deputies, investigators and law enforcement partners will continue to pursue justice and ensure every piece of evidence is thoroughly examined.

“We remain committed to protecting this community from repeat offenders who continue to endanger innocent lives,” she continued

The press release included part of Molina’s criminal history, including 2024 charges of aggravated DWI with a minor in the vehicle in Colorado, 2022 charges for possession of a controlled substance, aggravated DWI and three probation violations in 2020, possession of a controlled substance charges in 2017 and 2018, two instances of driving with a suspended license in 2014, a contempt of court charge in 2013 and a DWI charge in 2011.

Multiple warrants have been issued for Molina in the last decade for non-compliance with the courts, according to the release.