Jury convicts man in 2022 crash deaths of two 14-year-old girls

Jan. 12—A jury on Friday convicted Roger Wilson of two counts of second-degree murder in the 2022 deaths of two 14-year-old girls thrown from a car following a high-speed collision.

Prosecutors told jurors that Wilson, 28, was driving a stolen car when he intentionally rammed a blue Hyundai occupied by four people, forcing it off the road at Central and Tingley.

However, jurors acquitted Wilson of the more serious charges of first-degree murder in the July 29, 2022, deaths of Alyssa Salazar and Alize Henson.

The girls' two male companions, then ages 16 and 21, were seriously injured when the car rolled into a parking lot at The Beach apartments, 2525 Tingley Drive.

The 2nd Judicial District Court jury also convicted Wilson of two counts of great bodily harm by vehicle, driving while intoxicated, for injuries to the driver, Zabihollah "Sam" Yaqubi, and a passenger, Horacio Cordova.

Wilson also was convicted of auto theft and leaving the scene of an accident.

Wilson faces more than 40 years in prison, according to the 2nd Judicial District Attorney's Office. District Judge Brett Loveless had not scheduled a sentencing hearing.

The deadly collision stemmed from an alcohol-fueled argument at Pat Hurley Park on Albuquerque's West Side, prosecutors told jurors during the five-day trial.

Wilson's attorney, Stefanie Gulley, said in opening statements Monday that Yaqubi caused the collision when he attempted to cut off the silver Honda that Wilson was driving.

Gulley also said Wilson became angry because he was beaten by Yaqubi and Cordova at Pat Hurley Park and followed them to learn their identities.

Prosecutor Guinevere Ice told jurors that Wilson became angry during a "heated exchange" at the park after he began talking with the two girls.

As Yaqubi and his companions began driving away from the park, Wilson stole a car and began pursuing Yaqubi's car, Ice said. When the two cars stopped at a red light, Wilson bumped Yaqubi's car several times from behind, she said.

Yaqubi ran the red light and sped east on Central, attempting to get away from Wilson, who pulled up in a bus lane and struck Yaqubi's car, Ice said.

After the collision, Wilson drove away and crashed into a tree near Central and Rio Grande, then ran from the scene, she said.