Police officer ran red light in fatal collision

A Douglas High graduate was cleared of culpability in the New Mexico collision that killed her sister, according to preliminary findings issued Wednesday.Lindsay Browder, 19, was driving a Honda sport utility vehicle early Feb. 10 when an Albuquerque Police sergeant hit the passenger’s side where her sister, Ashley, was sitting. Ashley Browder, an airman 1st class in the Nevada Air National Guard, was pronounced dead at the scene. Lindsay suffered a broken hip and fractured spine in the early morning collision.The Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Department issued a statement of preliminary findings in the accident on Wednesday morning.Albuquerque Police Sgt. Adam Casaus told investigators at the time of the accident that he was trying to catch up to a possible drunk driver when the accident occurred at 1 a.m. Feb. 10.According to the sheriff’s investigation, there’s no corroboration to confirm Casaus’ story.Casaus said that he entered the intersection against a red light. That information was confirmed in the investigation.While Casaus’ emergency lights were on, his siren was not. The sheriff’s department has obtained a search warrant for the crash data recorders for both vehicles and that information is being reviewed.“There was no indication of impairment for either driver,” officials said. “Based on that observation, no chemical testing was performed on either driver.”The complete investigation is expected to last 3-4 weeks and will be turned over to the district attorney’s office to see if any charges are warranted.Both Browders were Douglas High School graduates, Ashley in 2009 and Lindsay in 2012.A memorial service is 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Lifepoint Church for Ashley Browder.Burial with military honors will be noon Saturday at Eastside Memorial in Minden, according to National Guard Maj. April Conway.A celebration of life reception is 1-3 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Hotel Banquet Room in Minden.Donations may be sent to the “Browder Family Benefit Fund” at any Wells Fargo Bank.