LEA COUNTY, N.M. — Prosecutors have filed vehicular homicide charges in Lea County in connection with a January 2025 traffic crash that left two people dead, according to court records filed in Eunice Magistrate Court.
Court documents show Amis Preston Carlisle, 43, of Fort Worth, Texas, is charged with two counts of homicide by vehicle (reckless driving), both third-degree felonies, along with reckless driving, a misdemeanor. The charges stem from a crash that occurred on January 28, 2025, in Lea County.
The case remains pending as of publication. Carlisle is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
All allegations described below are drawn directly from sworn law enforcement affidavits, criminal complaints, and court filings.
What Court Records Show
According to a criminal information filed by the Lea County District Attorney’s Office, investigators allege Carlisle operated a motor vehicle in a reckless manner that caused a multi-vehicle crash resulting in two fatalities.
Court records identify the deceased victims as Lucinda Garcia and Melissa Rodriguez. Both died from injuries sustained in the crash.
A preliminary examination was held, and court filings list multiple witnesses whose testimony formed the basis for the charges, including law enforcement officers, crash investigators, and civilian witnesses.
Crash Investigation Detailed by State Police
According to an affidavit filed by a trooper with the New Mexico State Police, the crash occurred along U.S. Highway 380 near Burro Alley Road in Lea County.
The affiant stated he arrived on scene and observed multiple vehicles involved, including a silver Nissan Kicks and a Land Rover, with debris scattered across the roadway. The area consists of a divided highway with separate eastbound and westbound lanes marked by a median.
Emergency medical personnel advised officers that both drivers involved were transported for treatment. Court records state one passenger was deceased at the scene, and a second victim later died from injuries sustained in the crash.
Witness Statements and Speed Analysis
Court filings summarize a witness statement indicating one vehicle was traveling westbound on Highway 380 when another vehicle crossed into its lane.
According to the affidavit, investigators conducted a speed analysis and determined one vehicle was traveling between 68 and 41 miles per hour at the time of impact. Investigators estimated the opposing vehicle’s impact speed ranged between 43 and 47 miles per hour.
Based on physical evidence, vehicle damage, and witness accounts, investigators concluded the crash involved reckless driving behavior.
Charges Filed
Court records show Carlisle faces the following charges:
- Count 1: Homicide by vehicle (reckless driving), third-degree felony
- Count 2: Homicide by vehicle (reckless driving), third-degree felony
- Count 3: Reckless driving, misdemeanor
A judge ordered Carlisle bound over for trial on the felony charges following a preliminary examination. The misdemeanor charge was also bound over.
Court Status and Next Steps
The case is now pending in Lea County’s district court system. As of publication, no plea has been entered and no trial date has been set.
Further proceedings are expected to include arraignment in district court, pretrial motions, and potential evidentiary hearings.
PUBLIC RECORD NOTE
This article is based on official public records, court filings, and sworn law enforcement affidavits obtained through lawful public-records access. Information is presented for transparency and public awareness.
For more San Juan County court coverage, see our previous report on the Cameron Lewis shooting case filed in Farmington.
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