Tucumcari woman struck, killed by motorist

A motorist who struck and killed a woman on a scooter in Tucumcari last week was driving with a revoked license.

Jennifer Tackett of Tucumcari died of her injuries at Trigg Memorial Hospital after she was struck on her scooter at South Third Street and Route 66 Boulevard about 6:30 p.m. March 18, according to a report by Tucumcari Police Department officer Tyler Davis.

The GMC Sonata pickup that struck Tackett and her scooter was driven by Dennis Christopher Benavidez, 32, of Tucumcari. (Online court documents also list an address in Portales for Benavidez.) He was charged with driving on a revoked license and improper turning at an intersection, both misdemeanors.

Benavidez was booked into the Quay County Detention Center that night on those charges, according to jail records.

Davis stated in his report he talked to Benavidez, who said he was driving west on Route 66 and made a left turn onto Third Street.

Benavidez said he did not see Tackett, who was driving her scooter east on the sidewalk of Route 66. Upon entering the intersection, Benavidez’s vehicle struck Tackett.

The officer noted in his report the setting sun caused low visibility for drivers going west.

One witness said Tackett went into the air after being struck by the pickup, landed on the vehicle and rolled off onto the ground.

Another witness said he believed Benavidez was traveling too fast and that he did not yield.

The officer found during a background check that Benavidez had a invalid driver’s license and arrested him.

According to online court records, Benavidez’s license had been revoked due to drunken driving.

Davis wrote he was informed at 10:30 p.m. that day that Tackett had died in Trigg’s emergency room.

Davis wrote the department is awaiting the results of an autopsy by the Office of Medical Examiner.

Benavidez was released from jail Wednesday on a $1,000 unsecured appearance bond.

Among the conditions of his release are he must not consume alcohol, cannabis or illegal drugs, must submit to drug and alcohol testing and must not drive any motor vehicle until the case is adjudicated and after he obtains a valid driver’s license.

District Attorney Timothy Rose said last week he would review the case once he received the police report.

Public defender Brett Phelps is listed as Benavidez’s attorney in the case.

According to the accident report, Tackett was living in an apartment at the Redwood Lodge motel property on the city’s west side.