Police: Man's arrest not related to fatal crash

Freedom New Mexico

A 26-year-old man charged with driving while intoxicated and resisting arrest following a Thursday morning fatality near Dora was a friend of the woman killed.

When officers arrived at the crash, they noted in a report, Joshua Robin, “appeared to be looking in the immediate area for any victims of the crash.”

Robin told law officers he was on his way home when he came upon the crash about four miles south of Dora.

Officers soon found the body of Kacee Lovato, 20, who was thrown from her vehicle, a 2008 Pontiac.

Police said they do not believe there is any connection between Robin’s arrest at the scene and the cause of the crash, State Police Capt. Jimmy Glascock said.

Glascock said Robin is known to be a friend of Lovato’s, but said he was uncertain if the two were together prior to the crash.

Officials said Lovato died after losing control of her vehicle, which left the road in a broadside skid and rolled several times.

According to a report compiled by the Roosevelt County Sheriff’s Office, an officer noticed the odor of alcohol on Robin’s breath. The officer asked him to remain on the scene while rescue personnel investigated the accident.

Police said Robin was soon observed driving away in his pickup with his lights off. Officers chased Robin and pulled him over after about two miles.

Robin posted $6,000 bond and was released from police custody.

Records indicate Robin’s address is in Brookhaven, Miss. Efforts to reach him for comment were unsuccessful.

Police have requested toxicology reports on Lovato from the Office of the Medical Investigator. Those tests could take weeks to complete, Glascock said.