Man Charged with Battery

— Washington County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested a New Mexico man Friday in connection with a 2011 car crash in Springdale that injured a pregnant woman.

Abel Acosta Moreno, 36, of 1305 W. Ave. I in Lovington, N.M., faces felony charges involving first-degree battery, driving while intoxicated, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Springdale police were sent to a traffic accident near Sunset Avenue and Carley Road on Jan. 2, 2011.

According to an arrest affidavit, Moreno rear-ended another car stopped at a red light on Sunset Avenue.

Investigators reportedly estimated Moreno’s car was traveling about 50 mph at the time of impact.

Police said a passenger in the car Moreno struck was 28 weeks pregnant. She suffered a skull fracture, broken hip, broken leg, several broken ribs and numerous cuts and abrasions, according to the report. The woman was reportedly placed on bed rest for eight weeks.

Moreno’s blood alcohol content was 0.28, which is nearly twice the legal limit, according to the report. Police said he also admitted to smoking marijuana.

Moreno was arrested on a warrant and taken to the Washington County Detention Center, where he was being held on $7,500 bond Friday.

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