7-year-old Indian American Pronoy Bhattacharya Killed in Hit and Run Case in New Mexico

The Indian American community in Albuquerque, New Mexico came together on Dec. 19 to remember 7-year-old Pronoy Bhattacharya, who was killed in a hit and run case, a week earlier. They said he always had a smile on his face and was extremely bright.

The second-grader at Georgia O’Keeffe Elementary School in Albuquerque was crossing a road with his family on Dec. 12, after attending the River of Lights, a walk-through light show, when he and his father, Aditya Bhattacharya, were hit by an off-road vehicle that ran a red light. Pronoy Bhattacharya died on spot, while his father was severely injured and admitted to the hospital. He suffered facial fractures and other injuries and is expected to fully recover, according to local news reports.

Pronoy’s mother, Deepshika Chowdhury told ABC affiliate KOAT 7 that she remembers Pronoy walking with his father holding his hand just before the crash. “I came back to my husband, kneeling down and screaming,” the news outlet quoted her as saying. 

Tina Patel, who told KOAT that she knew the young boy “almost half of his life,” recalled how he had made an impact on so many in his life. “We were just talking today about how helpful he was with his little brother and taking care of him,” Patel said. “You always think when your children are with you they’re safe. That’s the safest place for them to be. Not anymore. It’s not safe to even go out as a family anymore.”

At the Dec. 19 vigil, North Domingo Baca Park, parents, children, and many others gathered together to remember Pronoy. “In his seven years of life, I think he has touched everyone’s heart,” KRQE news station reported. “Everybody loved him, adored him, he was extremely intelligent, inquisitive but at the same time very kind and humble,” said the University of New Mexico physician. “Albuquerque is a rare gem but unfortunately, our city is plagued by crime, drugs, and alcohol and we don’t feel safe anymore,” said Memon, who was among a group of physicians in the community who took a stand. “All of us who are out here, we want to show support to Pronoy and his family but at the same time, we want to change the system. We understand as physicians we can’t bring Pronoy back but we want a better city.”

A GoFundMe account has also been set up for the Bhattacharya family. 

Meanwhile, the driver, who fled the scene after the accident, has been identified as Sergio Almanza, 27, of Belen, the Albuquerque Journal reported. He is charged with homicide by vehicle, knowingly leaving the scene of an accident and tampering with evidence in the death of Pronoy Bhattacharya. A warrant was issued for Almanza’s arrest.

Citing police, the Albuquerque Journal report said that video footage shows Almanza drinking at a Nob Hill bar before heading down Central and hitting Pronoy and his father. A friend of Almanza’s told police he admitted to the crash when he stashed the vehicle in the friend’s backyard. 

The Albuquerque Metro Crime Stoppers has offered a reward of $3500 for any information that may lead to arrest. This was done after an individual donated a $1,000 sum of money as a reward for the right information regarding the case, which reportedly made them increase the reward amount.