Albuquerque Settles Lawsuit Over Former Police Chief's Crash for $950,000

The City of Albuquerque agreed to pay $950,000 to settle a lawsuit stemming from a 2024 crash involving former Albuquerque Police Department Chief Harold Medina, according to the Albuquerque Journal.

The legal action followed a February 2024 collision on Central Avenue. Todd Perchert said that Medina drove through a red light and crashed into Perchert’s classic gold 1966 Ford Mustang, totaling the vehicle and leaving the driver with serious injuries.

City of Albuquerque settles lawsuit after crash involving former police chief — KOB 4 Albuquerque

Perchert suffered titanium plates across his rib cage, deformed bones in his upper arm, and stitches in his ear, the Albuquerque Journal reported. He filed his lawsuit against the city in August 2024, seeking compensation for property damage and his injuries.

“No amount of money can take away what happened to Mr. Perchert or undo the physical and emotional toll this crash has taken on him and his family,” said James Tawney, Perchert’s attorney, in a statement published by the Albuquerque Journal.

A settlement has been reached in a crash involving for APD Chief Harold Medina — KOAT

The Gunfire on Central

The incident began when Medina and his wife were driving in an unmarked police truck on Feb. 17, 2024, heading to a news conference. Medina parked near a homeless encampment on Alvarado, north of Central, to request that officers remove the camp. A fight then broke out between two men west of the vehicle, according to APD spokesperson Gilbert Gallegos.

One of the men pulled out a gun and fired at least once at the other man. Medina hit the gas and tried to speed away from the area, running a red light and crashing into Perchert’s car. Neither Medina nor his wife was harmed in the collision.

Albuquerque Settles Lawsuit Over Former Police Chief's Crash for $950,000 — Photo: abqjournal.com

Following the crash, an Internal Affairs investigation found that Medina failed to operate his city-issued vehicle safely and failed to fully activate his body camera. The city’s chief administrative officer subsequently issued Medina two letters of reprimand. An earlier version of internal findings stated Medina acted recklessly, which is a separate distinction under city policy.

“Fortunately, nobody lost their life as a result of the accident or the shooting that led to the crash,” Gallegos said in an email cited by the Albuquerque Journal.