RIO RANCHO, N.M. — It’s an unimaginable loss for any parent; your child being killed at the hands of a drunk driver. 

“To be there, holding his hand without him being able to respond, no brain activity was the worst experience you can ever imagine you know?” said Jason Padilla, Sr. whose son was killed by a drunk driver. 

Jason Padilla, Jr. should be suiting up for his senior cross-country season at Rio Rancho High School. Instead, Padilla, Sr. is raising awareness on the dangers of drunk driving after his son was killed in 2024. 

“He was just the most caring person, he was sweet, he had a girlfriend, he was the oldest of my three kids, so he was the big brother, and he did an amazing job,” said Padilla, Sr. 

He added that drunk driving is all too common in our state and accountability is past due.

“I am born and raised in Albuquerque and since I’ve been here, since I remember, we have been ranked in the top 10 or five, even number one in drunk driving,” Padilla, Sr. said.

Recent news of a DWI scheme has him even more upset. An FBI investigation revealed that several officers were pulling over drunk drivers, recommending them to local attorney Thomas Clear III, and then striking a deal to get their cases dismissed.

“How are we supposed to trust them when we pay our taxes, and we’re supposed to be law-abiding citizens and trust the law. Not everyone is corrupt but those that are they need to be held accountable too. If you aren’t going to put the people in jail and all that, maybe you should be in jail,” said Padilla, Sr. 

He just spoke to kids at RRHS about the dangers of drunk driving and how his son was able to help others through organ donation.

“At least in this tragedy like I said he is making an impact, at least he saved three lives.”