State: Forensic evidence proves Jeannine Jaramillo was behind wheel in deadly crash
Dec 11, 2024
SANTA FE, N.M. (KRQE) – She claimed she wasn't the only person in the car in a deadly wrong-way crash on I-25 near Santa Fe. But on Wednesday, prosecutors showed jurors evidence suggesting science proves Jeannine Jaramillo's story is made up. After the crash, Jaramillo repeated her story to police, claiming an ex-boyfriend doused her in gasoline and held her at knifepoint before leading cops into a chase through oncoming freeway traffic.
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But forensic evidence suggested she was the driver. "Initially when I was on scene and not seeing that airbag deployment for that front passenger and from my scene brief, learning that supposedly there was someone in that front passenger seat and not seeing that airbag deployment, it didn't make sense," said Agent Davin Barela.
A New Mexico State Police investigator told the courtroom there was no passenger in the Chevy Malibu that caused a deadly crash in 2022 and Jeannine Jaramillo was alone. They said they also found hair and makeup on the driver's side of the car after the crash. Police said Jaramillo caused the crash that killed retired Las Vegas firefighter Frank Lovato and Santa Fe Police Department Officer Robert Duran who was chasing Jaramillo's car.
Jurors also saw graphic video from Officer Duran's body camera showing the crash happening. That led to an emotional reaction from family and loved ones in the gallery. State police said the officer was driving over 90 miles per hour and Lovato was over 80. They reiterated that the crash was impossible to avoid. "Every second they're closing in at almost a football field at every second, that's how quick they're closing in on each other. That's how rapid these events happened," said Agent Barela.
The defense questioned the investigator's data which suggested there was no weight in the passenger seat even though the investigator's photos also showed the seat was full of stuff.
The prosecution is now four days into its case and expected to wrap soon. It's unclear exactly what Jaramillo is planning to argue as her defense did not give an opening statement. She is on trial for a list of charges including two counts of first-degree murder. If convicted, she could face a life sentence.