An off-duty Albuquerque police officer was struck by a vehicle and killed while walking in the far edge of the South Valley early Thursday morning.
Field officer Bianca Quintana was hit near Coors Boulevard SW and Chapulin Road SW around 12:45 a.m, authorities said. A spokesperson for the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office said the crash was a hit-and-run but she did not have any other details about the circumstances.
“We’re trying to determine any sort of suspect vehicle, make, model,” said Jayme Fuller Gonzales. “Our guys have been working non-stop on the investigation.”
APD released a statement about the incident Thursday night — after notifying Quintana’s family.
“This is a tragic loss for the Albuquerque Police Department and especially for the family and friends of Officer Bianca Quintana,” said Chief Harold Medina. “The entire APD family extends our most sincere condolences to Officer Quintana’s family.”
According to an APD news release, Quintana joined the department in 2022 and was assigned to the Foothills Area Command.
Fuller Gonzales said BCSO investigators are maintaining close communication with APD during the investigation.
“Our thoughts are with the family of the deceased and our colleagues at the Albuquerque Police Department during this difficult time,” Fuller Gonzales said in a news release.