Las Cruces Man Arrested for DWI Faces Child Abuse Charges

A Las Cruces man who was arrested Friday is suspected of driving intoxicated with his young son in the vehicle and crashing into a light pole on Missouri Avenue in Las Cruces.

Adan Franco is being charged with one count each of intentional child abuse, driving under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Franco was also cited for careless driving, driving while license suspended or revoked and driving with expired registration and failure to provide proof of registration. It turned out to be a long laundry list of offences for this dad of the year.

After the crash of the Malibu into t he pole on Missouri Avenue, the officer on the scene quickly spotted Franco’s 7-year-old son in the back seat. The officer also detected an odor of alcohol coming from Franco and found he was in the possession of a pipe commonly used for methamphetamine. The light pole that was struck came crashing down onto the Malibu, shattering the rear window and sending pieces of glass onto his young son. No major injuries were reported in the incident.

Franco was arrested and booked into the Dona Ana County Detention Center. He has since been released on his own recognizance and is awaiting a trial date.