A criminal case has been filed in San Juan County Magistrate Court following a fatal pedestrian crash along New Mexico Highway 371 earlier this year, according to state police court records.

Investigators with the New Mexico State Police said the case involves allegations that a driver left the scene of a crash that resulted in a death. A criminal summons filed in Aztec Magistrate Court requires the defendant to appear for a court hearing in March.

Investigation began after fatal crash discovery

According to a Statement of Probable Cause filed by the New Mexico State Police, officers were dispatched on January 2, 2026, to the area of NM Highway 371 and County Road 8501 regarding a reported fatal pedestrian crash.

Investigators documented evidence at the scene suggesting a pedestrian had been struck by a vehicle that left the area. Authorities began reviewing available surveillance systems, including Real Time Crime Center cameras and license plate reader systems, in an attempt to identify a possible suspect vehicle.

The probable cause statement indicates investigators believed the vehicle involved may have been a mid-size pickup truck. Despite initial review of available camera systems, the vehicle had not immediately been located.

Information gathered from witnesses

During the investigation, officers contacted individuals who had attended a gathering earlier that evening near the Farmington Dunes Vehicle Recreational Area. According to the probable cause statement, multiple juveniles had reportedly been present at the gathering.

Investigators were told the pedestrian had left the gathering shortly before midnight and was last believed to have been walking north along Bisti Highway toward Farmington.

Authorities continued gathering information about vehicles that may have been traveling through the area around the estimated time of the crash.

Suspected vehicle later located

On January 7, 2026, officers located a black 2022 GMC Canyon pickup truck at a residence in Farmington, according to the probable cause statement.

The vehicle was reported to have damage that investigators believed could be consistent with a collision involving a pedestrian. Officers seized the vehicle and transported it to the New Mexico State Police District Office in Farmington as part of the ongoing investigation.

According to the report, investigators later obtained judicial authorization to search the vehicle and collect evidence. During the execution of the warrant, officers documented damage to portions of the vehicle including the hood and front bumper area.

Investigators also collected biological samples and photographed the damage as part of the crash reconstruction process.

Interview conducted with driver

According to the probable cause statement, investigators later interviewed the driver associated with the truck after advising him of his rights.

During the interview, the driver reportedly told investigators he had been working a shift at a restaurant in Farmington earlier that night and had left work shortly after midnight. He reported traveling along NM Highway 371 when he observed an object in the roadway.

The report states the driver said visibility was reduced due to darkness, fog, and weather conditions. He told investigators he believed the object in the road was an animal and that his vehicle struck it.

According to the statement of probable cause, the driver said he returned home after the incident and did not report the collision to law enforcement.

Surveillance and employment records reviewed

Investigators also reviewed Real Time Crime Center surveillance footage from nearby businesses and traffic cameras, according to the court records.

Footage reportedly showed the truck traveling through the area shortly after midnight and leaving a nearby gas station parking lot before heading south along NM Highway 371.

Officers also obtained time records from the restaurant where the driver reported working in order to confirm the timeline described during the interview.

A separate Bloomfield crash case involving child abuse allegations was also recently filed in San Juan County, according to court records in a related court filing report.

Medical investigator information

According to the probable cause statement, investigators also contacted the Office of the Medical Investigator regarding the death associated with the crash.

Authorities were informed that preliminary medical findings indicated a blood alcohol concentration measurement for the pedestrian. Officials noted that the medical investigation remained ongoing at the time of the report and that autopsy findings were still pending.

Charges filed

• Knowingly Leaving the Scene of an Accident Resulting in Great Bodily Harm or Death
• No Driver’s License

Case status

According to the criminal summons filed in San Juan County Magistrate Court, the defendant has been ordered to appear for an arraignment hearing on March 18, 2026, at 8:30 a.m. at the Aztec Magistrate Court.

Court records state that if the defendant fails to appear at the scheduled hearing, a warrant may be issued for his arrest.

Source

This report is based on a Statement of Probable Cause and criminal summons filed in San Juan County Magistrate Court by the New Mexico State Police.

The documents were filed in connection with an investigation into a fatal pedestrian crash reported on NM Highway 371.

Kolton Chaly Begay is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. Charges are allegations. No determination of guilt has been made.