Family files lawsuit over fatal I-25 crash, citing lack of streetlights
The family of 19-year-old Brianna Sais-Ramirez, who was struck and killed on I-25 in Albuquerque’s south end in 2024, has filed a wrongful death lawsuit, alleging insufficient lighting contributed to her death.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. —
The family of 19-year-old Brianna Sais-Ramirez has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against multiple entities, claiming that a lack of proper street lighting contributed to her death on I-25 near Albuquerque’s South Valley in September 2024.
Sais-Ramirez’s car broke down and caught fire on the night of September 8, 2024, forcing her to exit the vehicle on a dark stretch of the interstate just south of the Sunport. She was struck and killed instantly by another driver who, according to a police report, did not see her due to insufficient lighting in the area.
Dan Cornish, the attorney representing Sais-Ramirez’s estate, described her as a compassionate and hardworking young woman.
“She worked at a home for domestic violence survivors. She volunteered at assisted living centers. She was 19 years old. She was just so kind, apparently, to everyone that knew her,” Cornish said. “For her being 19 and taking on so much, that says a lot about her character. According to everybody that, you know, I spoke to and that knew her and loved her, she was just of the highest quality character.”
Court documents outline the graphic details of the accident, describing Sais-Ramirez’s body as “shattered and gruesomely mangled.” Responding officers pulled her off the roadway, but she had been killed on impact. The driver who struck her was not charged.
“The police report noted, the investigating officer noted that the lighting was insufficient in the area and that this area is notorious for pedestrian strikes and death,” Cornish said.
Target 7 visited the scene and confirmed there are no streetlights on that stretch of I-25. The New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) is responsible for installing and maintaining lighting on the interstate.
Cornish has filed a wrongful death lawsuit, naming NMDOT as the primary responsible party.
“We believe that the primary responsible party is the New Mexico Department of Transportation. This did occur on I-25, and NMDOT in the state of New Mexico does have statutory responsibility,” Cornish said.
NMDOT declined to comment on the ongoing litigation but is not the only entity named in the lawsuit.
“Because of the Tort Claims Act in the state of New Mexico, we have to name all responsible parties that we have a good faith basis to believe are legally responsible for this tragedy,” Cornish said.
Other defendants include PNM, the City of Albuquerque, the city’s former municipal development director, a contractor for streetlights, and the Bernalillo County Board of County Commissioners.
A spokesperson for PNM said they have not yet been served but will respond as necessary through the appropriate channels. The City of Albuquerque issued a statement saying they are aware of the lawsuit, are reviewing it, and are saddened by the loss of life. The city added that it does not maintain lighting on the interstate.
The Bernalillo County Board of County Commissioners and the parent company of streetlight manufacturer LightLume have not yet responded to requests for comment.
