Albuquerque hit and run: Police charge teenagers with murder after allegedly killing cyclist in stolen car

Police in the US have charged two teenagers with murder after they filmed themselves allegedly hitting and killing a cyclist while driving a stolen car.

Scott Dwight Habermehl was riding his bike to work around 4.40am when he was struck by a car that swerved into a bicycle lane on Moon St in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on May 29 last year. The 63-year-old father of two died at the scene from his injuries.

Following an investigation into shocking video posted to social media of the hit-and-run, Albuquerque Police detectives have now charged Johnathan Overbay, 13, and William Garcia, 15 over the death, while an 11-year-old, who is too young to be charged, is also accused of participating.

Horrific footage of the incident shows the teenagers in hooded jumpers in the car, one waving around a handgun, as the driver speeds up to a cyclist and knocks straight into the back of him.

The video captured a conversation between the boys and the driver, which police allege shows their actions were intentional.

“The kids in the car saw the flashing light on the bicycle and audio of the recording indicated they planned to hit the bicyclist,” APD Police said in a release.

The back passenger, believed to be Garcia, said not to hit the cyclist going too fast. “Just bump him, brah,” he’s heard saying.

The driver, believed to be Overbay responded, “Like bump him?” The back passenger repeated, “Yeah, just bump him. Go like…15…20.”

“As the vehicle approached the intersection of Moon St. and Atkinson Ave., the front passenger, believed to be the 11-year-old who was waving a handgun, ducked and laughed, as the front passenger side of the vehicle struck Habermehl,” police said.

“There were loud sounds, including metal flexing, as the momentum of the crash carried Habermehl and his bicycle on top, and off, the passenger side of the vehicle.”

At the time, APD’s Fatal Crash team investigated the deadly crash, but couldn’t determine who was in the car. In February, police received an anonymous tip that cell phone video of the crash had been posted on social media and the case was handed to the Homicide unit.

“The tip included the identity of the Instagram account and its user,” police said.

Detectives secured warrants for the social media accounts and a search of phones that were previously seized from the 11-year-old and Overbay during a separate investigation in June 2024.

“APD’s Digital Intelligence Team identified several video clips showing Garcia, Overbay and the 11-year-old, including the original video of the crash,” police said.

As a result, Overbay and Garcia have both been charged with an open count of murder, conspiracy to commit murder, leaving the scene of an accident involving great bodily harm or death and unlawful possession of a handgun by a person.

Overbay will be booked into the Juvenile Detention Center, while detectives are still searching for Garcia and the 11-year-old.

APD detectives are now working with the DA’s Office and CYFD to determine what charges the 11-year-old may face and whether he can be held on those charges.