A tragic road rage incident in New Mexico ended the life of a teenager on Thursday as he was en route to pick up his mother from work. The unfortunate event unfolded on San Mateo Boulevard, close to Phoenix Road, at approximately 1:45 p.m., as reported by KOAT 7.
Surveillance cameras caught a Mustang, driven by 31-year-old Cecilio Lopez, making a U-turn and cutting into the path of 19-year-old Roman Valenciano’s Nissan. According to the Albuquerque Police Department, Lopez is accused of shooting at Valenciano from his silver Ford Mustang, resulting in the young man’s death. Valenciano was declared dead at the scene.
Authorities revealed that Lopez engaged in aggressive driving behavior, including “brake-checking,” which involved abruptly stopping his vehicle in the middle of the road. As the situation escalated, both vehicles continued moving south past Constitution Avenue. It was near Tully’s restaurant that Lopez allegedly sped up alongside Valenciano’s Nissan, leading to the fatal encounter.
Valenciano was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigators stated that Lopez had engaged in “brake-checking” the victim, bringing his vehicle to a complete halt in the middle of the roadway.
As both cars continued southbound past Constitution, Lopez allegedly accelerated alongside the Nissan near Tully’s restaurant.
Detectives believe Lopez then fired into the other vehicle, causing Valenciano to drift to a stop as the Mustang fled the area.
Investigators noted that the silver Mustang returned to the vicinity of the crime three separate times while officers were processing the scene.
Police utilized license-plate recognition technology to identify the vehicle and link it to Lopez, who was discovered to be on probation for a prior felony conviction.
After tracking the car to a residence in the North Valley where Lopez had been staying, detectives executed a search warrant and apprehended the suspect.
Lopez now faces several serious charges: an open count of murder, shooting at or from a motor vehicle resulting in death, tampering with evidence and possession of a firearm by a felon.
KOB 4 reports Lopez’s interaction with law enforcement dates back to 2012, when he was charged with the murder of a 17-year-old.
The charges against him were later dismissed.
[Feature Photo: Cecilio Lopez/Albuquerque PD]
