High speed chase ends in death

The vehicle chase that resulted in the death of an Albuquerque man Thursday in Clovis originated in Muleshoe, officials said this week.

Manuel Delgado, 33, was driving a 2008 PT Cruiser at speeds up to an estimated 80 mph, being pursued by law officers from Bailey and Parmer counties, according to a Clovis police incident report.

Muleshoe Police Chief Benny Parker said in a news release the incident began about 2:30 a.m. Thursday when an officer initiated a traffic stop in the 800 block of West American Boulevard in Muleshoe. The release did not specify the reason for the alleged traffic violation.

The driver refused to pull over and a pursuit began westbound on U.S. 84, Parker said.

Parmer County Sheriff Eric Geske said by the time his department joined the pursuit the suspect vehicle was already in New Mexico.

Clovis Police Officer Mitchell Arnett was first on the scene after Delgado apparently lost control of his vehicle and slammed into a tree on a curve on First Street between Rencher and Merriwether streets, according to a Clovis police incident report.

Arnett was on Connelly Street south of the Clovis police station when he first learned of a report coming from Texas about a high-speed pursuit, according to Arnett’s incident report.

Arnett wrote he observed a blur and sparks coming from a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed westbound on Mabry (First Street) in the direction of Grand.

“I started westbound to observe the vehicle further,” Arnett wrote. “I observed a … PT Cruiser crashed out on the shoulder of Mabry (First Street) and Grand (Avenue) across from the Lighthouse Mission.”

Arnett turned on his emergency lights at the scene.

Arnett wrote that Deputy John Stiles from Bailey County and Sgt. Jaymie Schlabs from Parmer County arrived at the scene.

“I assisted both deputies,” Arnett wrote. “As we approached the vehicle the male inside was agonal breathing (gasping for breath) and laying in the passenger seat with blood coming from several points on his head and left arm.”

Arnett determined the man to be the driver of the car and noted he was not wearing a seatbelt during the crash.

Parmer County Deputy Bobby Martinez and Farwell Police Chief Larry Kelsay then arrived on scene.

“All three deputies and Chief Kelsay had been involved in the pursuit,” Arnett’s report reads. “Chief Kelsay stated he had started on the pursuit but slowed down and could not keep up. Deputy Stiles stated he was first in the pursuit followed closely by Schlabs.”

Arnett learned the pursuit started in Muleshoe but the officer who initiated the pursuit was not on scene, according to his report.

Delgado died at PRMC.

According to a news release from Clovis Police Capt. Roman Romero, CPD and Curry County Sheriff’s Office crash teams were activated and continue to investigate the crash.