Man Convicted for Chasing Drag Racers, Leading to Crash That Paralyzed a 19-Year-Old

A man in New Mexico was convicted of great bodily injury by vehicle through reckless driving after he paralyzed a young woman while trying to catch drag racers.

A jury in Bernalillo County convicted Austin Kevin Jones over an incident that took place in September 2024, according to a press release from the district attorney’s office. The crash happened when two muscle cars were drag racing near Jones as he was driving. He allegedly grew enraged and tried to chase down the two racers.

In doing so, he struck an innocent bystander who was driving in another vehicle. The 19-year-old woman suffered “catastrophic injuries that left her paralyzed,” the release says.

“This young woman was simply driving her car when someone else’s reckless actions changed her life forever,” District Attorney Sam Bregman said in a statement. “There is nothing more important than holding people accountable when their dangerous choices cause this kind of devastating harm. I am grateful to Guin Ice and Carmen Gutierrez for their hard work in securing this conviction, and we will continue to fight for victims and pursue justice.”

According to court documents viewed by Law & Crime, Jones was indicted on a third-degree felony charge in September of 2025. He pleaded not guilty and was released on his own recognizance at the time. His trial began on Monday, October 5 and was sent to the jury for its decision the following Thursday.

He is currently awaiting sentencing.