A rollover crash investigation in Roswell has led to multiple felony and misdemeanor charges, including aggravated driving while intoxicated and child abuse, according to a criminal complaint filed in Chaves County Magistrate Court. Court records state the charges stem from a Feb. 28 crash involving several juvenile passengers.
The complaint was filed March 2 in Chaves County Magistrate Court following an investigation by the New Mexico State Police. The case alleges that a vehicle carrying juvenile passengers rolled over after being driven at a high rate of speed, resulting in injuries.
Crash Response and Initial Investigation
According to the criminal complaint, a New Mexico State Police officer was dispatched at approximately 4:38 p.m. to the area of Hachita Road and Alamo Road in reference to a reported crash involving injuries.
Upon arrival, the officer observed a silver Chevrolet Impala on its side with heavy damage consistent with a rollover collision. Court records state the driver was identified as Bobby Eugene Seward, who had three additional occupants in the vehicle, including two female juveniles who were both under the age of 18.
Officers reported that medics evaluated the driver and occupants at the scene. Two juveniles were transported to Eastern New Mexico Medical Center for additional treatment following the crash.
Field Sobriety Tests and Alleged Alcohol Consumption
The complaint states that while speaking with the driver, the responding officer reported detecting a strong odor of alcohol coming from his breath and body. The officer also observed that the driver’s eyes appeared red and bloodshot.
According to the complaint, the driver admitted to consuming several beers earlier in the day at a baby shower. He also told officers he had smoked marijuana before driving to the location where the crash occurred.
Officers initiated a driving while intoxicated investigation and conducted standardized field sobriety tests. The complaint states the driver showed signs of impairment during the tests and was subsequently placed under arrest.
After the arrest, officers began a deprivation period and requested chemical testing under New Mexico’s implied consent law. A breath sample and later a blood sample were requested after the driver asked to be transported to a hospital for medical clearance.
Video Evidence From Juvenile Passengers
The complaint states investigators reviewed cellphone video recorded by the juvenile passengers during the crash. According to the document, the video allegedly showed the vehicle being driven at a speed too fast for road conditions.
Investigators wrote that the video depicted the vehicle traveling in a fishtailing manner before the rollover occurred. Officers also reported that the recording showed the juveniles not wearing seat belts at the time of the crash.
The complaint further states that during the incident, the juveniles were thrown across the interior of the vehicle as it rolled.
Allegations of Evidence Tampering
According to the complaint, investigators were told that the driver asked the juveniles to delete the video from their phones before law enforcement arrived.
Officers also reported that alcohol containers were discovered some distance away from the vehicle. The complaint states investigators observed footprints leading from the vehicle to the location where the alcohol was found, which officers believed indicated an attempt to hide the containers before authorities arrived.
In addition, the complaint states that emergency services were not contacted by the driver after the crash. Officers wrote that the crash was reported through dispatch rather than by the driver at the scene.
Reported Injuries
The complaint states both juveniles sustained injuries in the crash. Hospital staff advised officers that one of the injured passengers might have suffered a fractured cheekbone.
After receiving medical clearance from hospital staff, the driver was transported to the New Mexico State Police office for booking procedures and later taken to the Chaves County Detention Center.
Charges Filed
According to the criminal complaint, the following charges were filed:
- Abuse of a child (does not result in death or great bodily harm) — third-degree felony
- Abuse of a child (does not result in death or great bodily harm) — third-degree felony
- Driving while intoxicated with a minor in the vehicle — misdemeanor
- Driving while intoxicated with a minor in the vehicle — misdemeanor
- Aggravated driving while under the influence causing bodily injury — misdemeanor
- Tampering with evidence — fourth-degree felony
- Child not in restraint device or seat belt — penalty assessment misdemeanor
- Child not in restraint device or seat belt — penalty assessment misdemeanor
- Driving while license revoked (DWI related) — misdemeanor
- No driver’s license — misdemeanor
Case Status
Court records show the criminal complaint was filed in Chaves County Magistrate Court on March 2, 2026. The case remains pending as the court process continues.
Source
Information in this article is based on a criminal complaint filed in Chaves County Magistrate Court and an investigation conducted by the New Mexico State Police.
Bobby Eugene Seward is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. Charges are allegations. No determination of guilt has been made.