ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – A man accused of driving drunk and killing a woman on Halloween weekend in 2023 will be staying in jail. That was the decision Monday by a judge for Kalani Hodges.

In 2023, police say Hodges was driving drunk and going over 90 mph when he crashed into 71-year-old Nena Johnson’s vehicle, killing her.

Hodges’ defense attorney argued the crash was not a violent offense, but Judge Joseph Montano decided it was still dangerous.

“Vehicular homicide resulting in the death of another may not be defined as a crime of violence, but it is clearly a danger due to the fact someone is going 90 miles an hour on a major road in the city that ultimately results in a death, and serious injuries to a passenger. And then there’s fleeing that takes place, this is clearly outrageous and dangerous,” said Montano. 

Hodges was already convicted of murdering someone as a teenager in 2018, but he was released in 2022.