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On October 29, 2021, at approximately 4:30 a.m., Las Cruces Police Officers Joshua Nanez and Catrina Ornelas were on patrol when the pair were dispatched downtown in reference to a single-vehicle accident. The reporting party stated that a four-door Nissan had struck a tree. And struck a tree it had; the Nissan exhibited what officers described as "extreme front end damage." According to the driver, Melissa Ventura, she had been on her way home after bar hopping in El Paso. At some point, she reached down for to find one of her high heel shoes that had come off, and when she looked back up, she was headed straight for a tree.
Both of Ms. Ventura's breath alcohol test returned a result of .10% BAC. Ms. Ventura has entered a plea of not guilty to the crime of DWI Driving While Under the Influence of Liquor and/or Drugs (.08 or Above) (1st Offense). Her jury trial is currently scheduled for October 31, 2022.