FARMINGTON — A Farmington man, 19, has been charged with great bodily injury by vehicle after police alleged he was involved in racing activity before a head-on crash near Butler Avenue and 30th Street, according to a criminal complaint and arrest warrant affidavit filed in San Juan County Magistrate Court.
Justin Miller, 19, faces charges including great bodily injury by vehicle (reckless driving), racing on highways and no proof of insurance in connection with the May 15 crash, according to court records.
All charges are allegations based on court records, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
According to the arrest affidavit, Farmington police officers responded to reports of vehicles racing near Butler Avenue and 30th Street shortly before a head-on collision involving a red Nissan 350Z and a Ford F-350 pickup truck.
Police alleged the red Nissan 350Z, which officers identified as being driven by Miller, entered the oncoming lane and collided head-on with the pickup truck. Officers reported the Nissan sustained heavy front-end damage and airbag deployment.
According to court records, the driver of the Ford F-350 told police he observed two vehicles “racing” northbound on Butler Avenue before the collision. The driver allegedly identified the red vehicle as the one that entered his lane and struck his truck.
The affidavit states a witness later provided officers with dash camera footage that allegedly showed two Nissan 350Z vehicles traveling alongside one another at what police described as a high rate of speed shortly before the crash.
According to the affidavit, another driver identified as Carter Stephens told officers the vehicles had been traveling alongside one another before the collision.
According to the affidavit, Stephens told officers the vehicles were “cruising” and denied they were racing.
Stephens was not charged in the current felony case involving Miller. Online court records reviewed Friday showed a separate municipal racing charge previously filed against Stephens was later dismissed without prejudice pending further investigation.
Police reported the driver of the Ford F-350 suffered a fractured nose and difficulty breathing following the collision. Court records also state passengers in the pickup reported injuries including burns, fractures and chest pain.
According to the affidavit, Miller was transported to San Juan Regional Medical Center following the crash. Officers reported Miller sustained fractured ribs and other injuries and invoked his right to remain silent when investigators attempted to interview him.
Separate court filings submitted May 22 by defense attorney Suzanne Fortner requested that Miller be allowed to be booked and released from custody while receiving ongoing medical treatment. The motion states Miller suffered two collapsed lungs, a broken femur, fractured ribs, stitches and severe road rash following the crash.
CHARGES FILED
- Great bodily injury by vehicle (reckless driving)
- Racing on highways
- No proof of insurance
CASE STATUS
Court records show probable cause was found May 21 in the case. Additional motions filed May 22 requested that Miller be allowed to be booked and released from custody while receiving ongoing medical treatment. Court filings also show attorney Suzanne Fortner entered an appearance on behalf of the defendant.
SOURCE
According to a criminal complaint and arrest warrant affidavit filed in San Juan County Magistrate Court. Additional information was contained in motions filed by defense counsel on May 22, 2026.
LEGAL DISCLAIMER
All charges are allegations based on court records, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.