Category: kvia-local-news

Lauren Bly

UPDATE (July 16, 2026) — Several witnesses told police David McCall allegedly ran away after crashing into a couple on a motorcycle — including the couple’s son, according to arrest documents. One witness said he chased McCall from the Loop 375 highway to a nearby neighborhood.

Documents said the De La Torre couple’s son, Damian, rode his motorcycle behind his parents on Loop 375 West. He said he saw McCall drive at a high rate of speed and change lanes. Damian alleged McCall lost control of his car and crashed into his parent’s motorcycle.

The impact threw the couple from the motorcycle onto the pavement of the Yarbrough entrance ramp onto the highway, documents said. Police said the couple died at the scene.

Two witnesses driving on the highway’s eastbound said they pulled over and jumped the barrier to call 911 and report McCall reportedly leaving the crash site, documents said.

One witness alleged McCall tried to leave by driving away, but instead got out the car and left by foot, documents said.

Another witness said he chased McCall through an open field and down a canal. Documents said the witness lost sight of McCall when he jumped over a wall into a house’s backyard.

Patrol officers searched the area where McCall was last scene, found him and arrested him in the front yard of a home in a neighborhood off Yarbrough Drive.

During questioning, McCall said he didn’t remember how the crash happened and that he drove his girlfriend’s car, documents said.

He said he panicked after the crash, ran toward the neighborhood and called his brother, documents said.

According to documents, McCall admitted to drinking two Michelob Ultra beers at his cousin’s house before the crash.

Police asked him if he called 911 to report the crash and whether he checked on the others involved in the crash. Documents said McCall answered no to both.

Jail records said McCall remains behind bars without bond.

He’s being held under Texas Senate Bill 9, which is a bail reform law requiring a judge to review certain serious felony cases before bail can be set.

Court records also said McCall was convicted last year of evading arrest with a vehicle and sentenced to four years in prison.

The same records said the case stemmed from a 2023 high-speed pursuit that investigators said was connected to a human smuggling investigation.

UPDATE (July 13, 2026) — El Paso Police said it arrested a 21-year-old man in connection to a deadly crash that killed a couple.

David McCall faces two charges of collision involving death, according to a news release.

EPPD said McCall allegedly lost control while driving and hit Alfredo and Miriam De La Torre while they rode a motorcycle. The couple were thrown from the motorcycle and died at the scene, police said.

McCall allegedly left the crash site by foot. Police later arrested and booked him into the El Paso County Detention Facility.

(Courtesy: EPPD)

El Paso Mayor Renard Johnson sent ABC-7 the following statement sending his condolences to De La Torre couple and their families:

“Our hearts are with the families and loved ones of the victims. These tragic crashes are a painful reminder that every life lost on our roadways is one too many.

The City of El Paso is committed to making our streets safer. Earlier this year, City Council strengthened our State Legislative Agenda to support stronger impaired driving prevention, enforcement, accountability, and public awareness. We will continue working with Sober Streets, law enforcement, our legislative delegation, and community partners to advocate for measures that help prevent crashes and save lives.

We will continue working with our partners to improve safety and advocate for stronger laws, but we also ask every driver to do their part. Make safe choices, look out for one another, and help us keep El Paso’s roads safe.”

UPDATE (7:58 p.m.) — El Paso Police said that two people have died, and that their Special Traffic Investigator’s Unit is responding.

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA)– According to TxDOT, all lanes are closed on Loop 375 at Yarbrough going west.

El Paso fire says that a call came in at around 6 p.m. of a motorcycle and vehicle accident. They have not said if anyone is injured.

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Nina Gallegos

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) – GECU Federal Credit Union plans to do a complete system upgrade from July 31-Aug. 4. Some services with online and mobile banking will be completely unavailable until the upgrade is complete, according to GECU.

Unavailable services includes GECU’s Bill Pay, scheduled transfers, account and card alert registration, external loan payments, eStatements, mobile check deposit, and Card Management.

GECU members can still apply for a loan and new accounts through the credit union’s website.

GECU said it will advance direct deposits on Friday, July 31 for direct deposits dated Aug. 1-3, as long as they are received by July 31. Other direct deposits will be deposited as soon as the upgrade is complete.

Members must make any necessary loan payments or transfers before July 31 at 5 p.m.

Transactions processed with money-transfer apps that are directly linked to your GECU accounts will be unavailable starting at 5 p.m. MST on Friday, July 31.

GECU said the upgraded technology will streamline back-end operations and processes to serve members better.

The upcoming system upgrade means GECU members will lose access to several key financial services during the transition. A 24/7 card services line will remain open, but staff will not be able to assist with account or loan specific questions.

GECU member Yolanda Miranda says she was not aware of the planned system upgrade. As someone who pays rent at the beginning of each month, Miranda expressed concern over the timing of the upgrade.

“I do pay on the beginning of the of each month. And it’s good to know that because I didn’t know that,” Miranda said regarding the unexpected timing of the upgrade.

Online and mobile banking will be unavailable during the upgrade. Direct deposits, loan payments and transfers and money transfers through third-party apps all need to be completed before July 31. All ATM and cash deposits should also be made before the July 31 deadline.

Jacque Valdez, GECU Senior Vice President of Operations, confirmed the limited availability of assistance during the upgrade.

Valdez stated that while card services would be operational, “Specific to issues around their accounts or mortgages, we would not be available.”

When asked what would happen if a member does not set up their payments in advance, Valdez did not provide a direct response. Valdez suggested members utilize available resources.

“Well, they would be able to reference us. But you know, if they use that checklist and plan a little bit ahead, we can ensure that they can help themselves through that particular situation,” Valdez said.

Miranda noted the potential inconvenience for those unaware of the changes.

“So if you’re not prepared, it’s going to be inconvenient. So we’re going to have headaches, right?” Miranda said.

GECU advises members to prepare for the system upgrade before July 31 to avoid disruptions.

GECU recommends steps members can take to prepare for the upgrade:

Before July 30:

Verify your contact information

Mark your calendar

Keep an eye on your mail and email

Screenshot Zelle activity

If needed, turn on your cards

Add cards to your mobile wallet

Make mobile-check deposits

Update bill pay

If needed, open a new debit card

Before July 31:

Check your balance

Make necessary transactions

Make wire transfers

Make ATM check and cash deposits

Add nicknames to your account

After Aug. 4:

Double-check payments

Re-enroll in Zelle

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Gabrielle Lopez

LAS CRUCES, N.M. (KVIA) — A 12-hour rescue in the Organ Mountains left three firefighters injured, according to the Las Cruces Fire Department. The call for help came in around 10 a.m. Sunday.

LCFD said its technical rescue team helped an injured hiker at Aguirre Springs trail. The hiker reportedly climbed 1,000 feet off the trail into a gully, and their injury stopped them from descending.

Search and rescue parties helped the hiker and gave medical care, LCFD said. Because of the terrain, the rescue took 12 hours and 20 minutes.

LCFD said three firefighters were injured from the rescue.

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Gabrielle Lopez

LAS CRUCES, N.M. (KVIA) — One firefighter went to a hospital after the Las Cruces Fire Department extinguished a fire in Las Cruces Saturday afternoon. It happened on the 1200 block of Montana Avenue near Las Cruces High School.

When crews arrived, they found the fire burning in a storage yard that was near a building, LCFD said on Facebook.

(Courtesy: LCFD)

Crews controlled the fire within 15 minutes. The building didn’t have anyone inside.

The injured firefighter went to a hospital.

LCFD said the cause of the fire is under investigation.

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Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — On Wednesday, an El Paso jury awarded a family $104 million dollars after finding MVT Services LLC liable for the death of its employee, Orlando Robles.

The company, also known as Mesilla Valley Transportation, sent ABC-7 a statement on Friday:

“We want to take a moment to address the recent jury verdict concerning the tragic accident involving two of our drivers. Our hearts continue to go out to the families affected by this tragic accident. This loss has had a profound impact on all of us. While we respect the judicial process, we are evaluating our appellate options.”

Robles was in the sleeping compartment of an 18-wheeler when attorneys say the driver, Juan Garcia, dozed off and slammed into the back of another big rig on the side of the road. The crash happened October 2020 along I-40 in rural Oklahoma. Robles died as a result of the crash.

His mother, wife, five daughters and son sued Garcia and the trucking company. They argued MVT’s policy did not specify drivers had to sleep during their breaks, only that they had to rest. Attorneys for the family argued Garcia had been on his phone during his resting time instead of sleeping, and when he got behind the wheel they said he was too fatigued to drive.

The case went all the way to the Texas Supreme Court which declined to hear it and sent it back to the trial court, where a jury on Wednesday returned the verdict.

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Gabrielle Lopez

LAS CRUCES, N.M. (KVIA) — The U.S. Attorney’s Office District of New Mexico recognized Las Cruces Police Chief Jeremy Story as a hometown hero Friday.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico said Story earned the Hometown Heroes recognition for his service to his community and his leadership in advancing public safety in New Mexico.

The Hometown Heroes is a recognition by the Department of Justice given to local service workers.

“One of the main reasons I feel it’s undeserved is because every success that I’ve had has been because of other people,” Story said.

At the ceremony, officials said a charity drive collected shoes and socks for local organizations serving human trafficking victims.

The ceremony was part of Freedom250, a nationwide initiative designed to honor the 250th anniversary of the U.S. and encourages communities to celebrate local service.

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Max Zepeda

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Friday, MountainStar Sports Group Amigo Airsho celebrated 11 graduates from its Fly HigHER Girls STEAM Academy. The program launched earlier this year with the goal of empowering students to explore careers in aviation, aerospace and leadership.

Students from the Young Women’s STEAM Research & Preparatory Academy and Young Women’s Leadership Academy took part in the program this year. They got to tour the El Paso International Airport and the Federal Aviation Administration Air Traffic Control Tower, according to a news release.

“This career field needs more young women,” graduate Kamillah Mendoza said. “I feel like so many of the girls have such bright minds, and this field needs them.”

The cohort capped off the program with a graduation ceremony and received certificates celebrating their accomplishments.

Each participant also took a discovery flight after the ceremony — letting them look at the world from an aircraft cockpit.

(Courtesy: MSSG Amigo Airsho)

“Air shows inspire people to dream, but our mission extends far beyond Airsho weekend,” Israel Castro, Vice President of STEAM for MSSG Amigo Airsho, said in a statement. “Through Fly HigHER, we’re helping young women see themselves not only as spectators, but as future pilots, engineers, innovators, and leaders.”

One of the graduates, Harlee Villalobos, earned the MSSG Amigo Airsho’s Skybound Scholarship.

Graduate Suryne Montoya told ABC-7 said the program gave her a thrilling experience.

“I feel really like I’m on like a high, almost like the adrenaline high. It was super cool,” Montoya said. “I mean, we’ve all flown in a regular airplane before, but being able to sit there and be able to see what the pilot is doing — it was just super thrilling.”

She also said the program taught her that anyone can fly a plane if they set out to do it.

Outside of hands-on skills, participants did sessions on curiosity, self-advocacy and confidence, MSSG said.

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Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Texas democratic U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico will stop in El Paso this weekend as part of his campaign for the November election. A town hall featuring the candidate will take place Saturday.

His campaign organizers said his community town hall will take place from 7:30-9:30 p.m. at the Plaza Theatre in Downtown El Paso.

Talarico’s stop in El Paso is one of several planned in South Texas this month.

In November, he will face Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton for the U.S. Senate seat.

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Gabrielle Lopez

RUIDOSO, N.M. (KVIA) — The Federal Emergency Management Agency approved more than $144 million to help communities rebuild and protect infrastructure from future disasters. Friday, Department of Homeland Security said the Village of Ruidoso will get some of that aid.

Ruidoso will get more than $770,000 for generators for critical facilities in the village, DHS said in a news release. This money comes from the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.

FEMA coordinates with the state on all recovery and Hazard mitigation projects, according to DHS.

Additionally, New Mexico’s DHS and Emergency Management will get more than $1.1 million to remove debris after wildfires, floods, mudflows and straight-line winds from 2022. This money comes from the Public Assistance program.

Other aid will go to parts of Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana and Oklahoma.

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Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — A woman accused of posing as a nurse and working without a license has been arrested in El Paso Thursday, according to jail records. Forty-three-year-old Margarita Gonzalez’ arrest comes after a Doña Ana County jury indicted her in May.

Jail records said the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office arrested her under several warrants for fraud charges — including for health care and possessing someone else’s identifying information. Records said the offenses reportedly took place between January 2023 and July 2025.

Her bond totaled $130,000. Jail records said some of the charges she faced didn’t have bond.

In May, New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez charged Gonzalez with 34 counts of misconduct for allegedly impersonating nurses in Texas to get a job in Las Cruces. If convicted, she faces up to 100 years in prison.

The New Mexico Department of Justice alleged she administered narcotics to minors and nearly caused a patient’s death.

According to a NMDOJ investigation, Gonzalez illegally administered injections and prescribed medicine, including narcotics to eight children.

The investigation also alleged she incorrectly dosed a patient with insulin, which could have caused a serious incident or death, NMDOJ said. Another nurse caught the mistake before the patient got the dose.

NMDOJ said Gonzalez worked at the following places, which all paid compensation based on the fraudulent licenses:

Village at Northrise

Las Cruces Wellness and Rehabilitation

Peak Behavioral Health

Matrix Home Care

In October 2025, the Texas Board of Nursing issued an imposter alert accusing Gonzalez of posing as a nurse.

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