Judge Granted Emergency Continuance for Krystal Garcia
The trial for the former Albuquerque police officer has been pushed back to November 2026.
Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Law Enforcement
Judge Cindy Leos granted an emergency continuance on Wednesday for the trial of former officer Krystal Garcia. Garcia faces charges related to a fatal 2025 crash in Albuquerque.
Why it matters
The delay allows for more time before the legal proceedings against the former officer conclude. Garcia is accused of fleeing the scene of a fatal collision involving fellow officer Ezekiel Florez.
Judge Cindy Leos reset the trial date to November 9, 2026, following the emergency request. This action follows the separate conviction of Ezekiel Florez, who received a three-year prison sentence for his role in the fatal incident.
The players
Krystal Garcia
She is a former Albuquerque police officer facing trial for her involvement in a fatal 2025 hit-and-run incident.
Ezekiel Florez
He is a former Albuquerque police officer who served as a co-defendant and received a three-year prison sentence.
Cindy Leos
She is the judge presiding over the criminal proceedings in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Daniel Trujillo
He was the pedestrian killed in the May 2025 collision on Central Ave.
The details
Krystal Garcia and off-duty officer Ezekiel Florez were involved in a May 2025 incident on Central Ave where a motorcycle struck and killed Daniel Trujillo. The pair fled the crash scene without contacting emergency services.
Timeline
May 2025: Ezekiel Florez and Krystal Garcia struck and killed a pedestrian.
September 23, 2026: Judge Cindy Leos granted the emergency trial continuance.
November 9, 2026: The new trial date for Krystal Garcia.
Legal Context
This case follows the 2025 Albuquerque police hit-and-run fatal collision, a landmark event for local judicial accountability. The ongoing proceedings reflect broader public scrutiny of conduct involving city law enforcement officials.
Residents of Albuquerque may observe continued interest in the accountability of local law enforcement regarding the Central Ave incident. No new security measures or specific safety advisories have been issued to the public at this time.
The takeaway
The court remains focused on the upcoming trial date to address the charges brought against the former officer. Residents are encouraged to monitor local court schedules for any further changes to the proceedings.
Further reading
For more information on legal proceedings, visit the Law Enforcement section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KRQE 13.
