QUESTA, N.M. (KRQE) – The New Mexico Supreme Court censured a Questa municipal judge for a deadly crash nearly two years ago. Judge Michael Rael was coming from a gig at a bar back in August 2023 when he hit and killed Nathan Charley.
A crash report said Charlie was responsible for walking in an unlit area. But in an agreement between Rael and the Judicial Standards Commission, Rael admitted to driving ten miles an hour over the speed limit and invoking his title when speaking to officers.
The justices said they censured Rael to ensure the public’s confidence in the judiciary and to remind all judges that misconduct will not be tolerated.