Warrants Issued for Occupants of Fatal Hit-and-Run Vehicle
Police are looking for a 40-year-old woman and a 34-year-old man who are believed to be the occupants of the vehicle that struck and killed a Las Cruces man Monday evening.
Heather Mariah Grace Funk, 40, and 34-year-old Earnest Thomas Fudge were believed to be in the 2010 Volkswagen Passat that struck two pedestrians Monday evening near the intersection of Espina Street and Arizona Avenue. Funk and Fudge both have warrants issued for their arrests.
About 8 p.m. Monday, Sept. 21, Las Cruces police and fire were dispatched to the report of two pedestrians who were struck by a vehicle that fled from the area of Espina and Arizona. Officers arrived to find the two victims. Valenciano, 43, was pronounced dead on scene. A 60-year-old man was in critical condition when he was rushed to an area hospital. The 60-year-old victim was later transported to University Medical Center of El Paso.
Traffic investigators believe both pedestrians were walking together and crossing Espina Street, heading west, when they were struck by the Volkswagen that was heading south on Espina. The VW fled from the area but was located by police later that evening. The car had significant damage consistent with it being involved in the hit-and-run.
Investigators obtained a search warrant on the VW and located documents inside the car that belong to Funk and Fudge.
Funk and Fudge are believed to be traveling together and may be staying in a Las Cruces area hotel or motel.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Heather Mariah Grace Funk or Earnest Thomas Fudge is asked to call 911 immediately.
