Navy nurse charged in fatal Tampico hit-and-run

Leonardo “N”, a nurse with the Mexican Navy (Secretaría de Marina), has been formally charged with aggravated involuntary manslaughter following a fatal hit-and-run in Tampico, Tamaulipas. The accident, which claimed the life of Margarita “Maguito” Sánchez Nava, occurred on the Bulevar Perimetral de la Laguna del Carpintero.

Despite the charges, a judge ruled that the defendant would remain free under house arrest with permanent surveillance and periodic check-ins. The court determined that the elements of flagrancy were not met because the arrest occurred approximately 20 to 30 minutes after the incident, and the police report from Ciudad Madero transit agents contained documentation deficiencies regarding the subsequent pursuit.

Toxicology results revealed that Leonardo “N” had tested positive for alcohol, cocaine, and marijuana at the time of the accident. The victim's family lawyer, Víctor Hugo Gómez López, stated that the driver was speeding and lost control of the vehicle, striking the victim and dragging her nearly 30 meters. The defense plans to appeal the judge's decision and will use C5 surveillance footage and private recordings during the three-month supplementary investigation period to reconstruct the event.