A prominent New Mexico attorney accused in an accident that killed a Pueblo man had a prior drunken driving arrest that was never prosecuted, The Santa Fe New Mexican reports.

Carlos Fierro's blood alcohol content was nearly twice the legal limit when he was stopped in 1997. But for unexplained reasons, the case was dismissed without prejudice.

Fierro, 36, now faces charges of vehicular homicide and leaving the scene of an accident that caused death. He is accused of striking and killing William Tenorio, a 46-year-old man from San Felipe Pueblo on November 26.

A witness told The Albuquerque Journal the accident was "the most horrendous thing I've ever seen." The man said he is sure he saw three people in the car -- an angle that police are investigating but have yet to confirm publicly.

The other known passenger is a state police sergeant who is a member of Gov. Bill Richardson's security detail. Fierro is a lawyer who worked for Rep. Tom Udall (D-New Mexico) and Sen. John McCain (R-Arizona) in Washington, D.C.

Police are also trying to figure out why Fierro sent text messages to a television anchor in Albuquerque shortly after the accident. The anchor was not involved in the accident, the woman's lawyer and the television station said.

Get the Story:
Fatal hit-and-run: Attorney's previous DWI case dismissed (The Santa Fe New Mexican 12/4)
Fatal Hit-and-Run 'Horrendous' (The Albuquerque Journal 12/4)

Related Stories:
More details in drunk driving death of Pueblo man (12/3)
Attorney posts bond for DUI death of Pueblo man (12/2)
Pueblo man killed in drunk driving accident (12/1)