Magdalena Speeder Caught Going 90

By John Larson

MAGDALENA - Officers from Magdalena Marshal Larry Cearley’s office assisted the U.S. Border Patrol in the arrest Monday of a Louisiana man who was speeding through the village at 90 miles per hour. In his vehicle were two men without documentation.
Jose Luis Caro, 37, of Crowley, La., was arraigned in Magistrate Court Tuesday on the charges of Aggravated Fleeing a Law Enforcement Officer, a fourth degree felony, and Reckless Driving, a misdemeanor. He was also charged with driving without a license, and speeding at least 35 miles per hour over the posted speed limit. The speed limit on First Street (Highway 60) in Magdalena is 30.
In an interview with the Mountain Mail, Cearley emphasized the danger the driver presented to pedestrians and other drivers.
“You don’t see car coming at 90 miles per hour when you’re pulling out onto the street,” he said.
Cearley said there were several people walking on First Street, and that midday traffic is normally busy in Magdalena.
“He passed two vehicles and almost broadsided another vehicle near the corner of First and Main,” Cearley said. “That intersection is always busy that time of day – people coming in and out of the bank, Winston’s, the bar, or coming from the Village Hall and library area.”
According to the criminal complaint, Deputy Terry Flanigan was informed by Border Patrol agents that they were eastbound on Highway 60, in high speed pursuit of a white 1997 Chevrolet Blazer heading toward Magdalena.
Flanigan radioed Cearley, who attempted to stop Caro by cutting off his vehicle at mile marker 111, at the west end of the village.
“I was driving toward him in an attempt to force him to stop, but he swerved completely off the roadway and passed me without slowing down,” Cearley said.
Cearley then followed Border Patrol units as the Blazer maintained his high rate of speed, while several people were pulling in and out of businesses along First Street.
“The roadway was heavy with traffic when the driver flew past them at a high rate of speed,” the complaint stated. “…Flanigan was coming westbound and clocked the vehicle at 90 miles per hour on his radar while the driver passed two vehicles in a no passing zone inside Magdalena.”

Magdalena Speeder Caught Going 90