A New Mexico sheriff’s office has completed its investigation into a car crash that killed a Texas country singer and a teenager, concluding that singer Kylie Rae Harris caused the crash while driving drunk and at a high speed.
Harris and 16-year-old Maria Cruz were killed in the three-vehicle crash in northern New Mexico, which happened Sept. 4.
The Taos County Sheriff’s Office confirmed in a news release that the 30-year-old was driving at about 95 miles per hour when she struck Cruz’s car. The sheriff’s office also revealed that Harris had a blood alcohol level of 0.28, which was three times the legal limit, at the time of her death.
“In the days following the crash our investigation continued and data from the on-board computers was collected. In part, the data showed Ms. Harris’ speed at 102 miles per hour at the time of the first collision event before crossing into the oncoming lane and striking Ms. Cruz’ vehicle at 95 miles per hour,” the news release reads.
Harris and Cruz, a Taos High School student, died at the scene. The responding emergency crew included the teen’s father, Pedro Cruz, the deputy chief of the San Cristobal Volunteer Fire Department.
“At this time, I will say with most certainty that Miss Cruz was an innocent victim of this senseless crash caused by Ms. Harris,” the sheriff said.
Harris had a prior 2017 DWI conviction in Texas and had been ordered to install an ignition interlock device on her vehicle, according to court records.
A single mother, Harris was in Taos to perform at an annual music festival. She had posted on social media earlier that day that she was low on gas and 36 miles from the nearest gas station. "Dear baby Jesus please don't let me get stranded in NM," she tweeted.
Harris’ publicist, Sarah Frost, said Thursday the musician’s family and friends were heartbroken over her death. Harris released a self-titled album earlier this year and had spent the summer traveling to shows throughout Texas.
In the wake of the authorities’ findings, Harris’ family spoke of their sadness that alcohol contributed to the loss of two lives.
"The family of Kylie Rae Harris received the toxicology report and deeply regret that alcohol contributed to the tragic deaths of Maria Elena Cruz and Kylie," the family said in a statement to People.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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