A Gamerco man has been charged after deputies alleged he drove more than 90 mph and failed to stop for emergency lights near Fruitland, according to court records filed in Aztec Magistrate Court.
Roman Lozano, 22, of Gamerco, was charged following the May 31 incident, 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 a statement of probable cause filed by the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office, Deputy Alexander Valverde was conducting traffic enforcement near U.S. Highway 64 in Waterflow at approximately 8:06 a.m. when he allegedly observed a black 2013 Toyota Tundra traveling eastbound at 91 mph in a 60 mph zone.
The affidavit states Valverde activated his emergency lights and siren and turned around to catch up with the vehicle. According to the deputy, the driver continued traveling at a high rate of speed despite audible and visual signals to stop.
Court records allege the truck continued east before turning south onto Road 6100 near Fruitland. The affidavit states the vehicle passed a man who was mowing a lawn along the roadside while allegedly continuing at a high rate of speed.
According to the deputy, the truck also traveled near Zia Liquors on U.S. Highway 64 while allegedly kicking up loose dirt and gravel. The affidavit states the deputy believed the driving behavior created a risk to motorists, pedestrians and nearby bystanders.
Court records state another deputy, identified as Deputy Cancino, later stopped the vehicle. According to the affidavit, Deputy Cancino reportedly exceeded 60 mph in a 45 mph zone to catch up with the truck.
Valverde alleged he identified the driver as Lozano and placed him under arrest. According to the affidavit, Lozano later made a phone call while standing in front of a patrol vehicle and allegedly told another person in Spanish that Deputy Valverde had been chasing him, lost him and then caught him.
The deputy wrote that another deputy who understood Spanish brought the statement to his attention. According to the affidavit, Valverde wrote that he interpreted the statement as suggesting Lozano was aware deputies were attempting to stop him.
According to the criminal complaint, prosecutors alleged Lozano was traveling 31 mph over the posted speed limit at the time of the incident.
CHARGES FILED
Court records reviewed by San Juan Pulse reflect a discrepancy between the booking record and the criminal complaint.
- The booking record lists aggravated fleeing a law enforcement officer, reckless driving and speeding.
- The criminal complaint filed in magistrate court alleges resisting, evading or obstructing an officer, reckless driving and speeding.
Court records should be consulted for the most current charge information.
CASE STATUS
Court records indicate Lozano was booked into the San Juan County Adult Detention Center on May 31.
Online jail records listed Lozano as being held pending release conditions at the time of booking.
Court records did not indicate whether Lozano had retained legal counsel.
SOURCE
According to a criminal complaint, booking records and statement of probable cause filed in Aztec Magistrate Court under case number M-147-FR-2026-00242.
LEGAL DISCLAIMER
All charges are allegations based on court records, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.