Police arrest man for DWI crash that killed 2 overnight

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — A man is facing charges for allegedly driving while high and causing a crash that killed his two passengers overnight.

Around 1 a.m. Friday, Albuquerque police officers responded to Unser and Western Trail regarding a rollover crash that happened on southbound Unser.

Officers investigated and found a white Infiniti G37 was traveling south on Unser when it appeared to lose control near the intersection. Police say the vehicle lost control and hit the shoulder before running off the road, crashing through a street light, getting airborne and landing back on the roadway in the center median.

Two people were ejected from the vehicle. They died at the scene.

Paramedics removed the driver from the vehicle and took him to UNM Hospital. He suffered non-life-threatening neck and back injuries.

Police identified the driver as Benjamin Guiang. While first responders didn’t suspect Guiang was under the influence of alcohol, a passerby told paramedics he allegedly admitted to consuming cannabis a few hours before driving.

When asked about the accident, he said he was driving fast when he approached “a sharp turn” and “lost control of the vehicle and crashed.”

Officers placed Guiang under arrest. He now faces two counts of DWI vehicular homicide.

Officers are still investigating a witness’s claim that the Infiniti was racing another car.