A police officer in Albuquerque, New Mexico, won't face charges in connection with the fatal hit and run of Vera "Tonie" Haskell, who was a member of the Navajo Nation.

Sgt. Andrew Gallegos was accused of hitting Haskell, 47, in the parking lot of a bar on April 6, 2008. Surveillance footage showed him leaving the scene but the judge said he couldn't be charged because he didn't know he might have caused an accident.

"In my mind, it makes no sense to charge someone with a felony for leaving the scene of an accident" if the driver doesn't know an accident occurred, the judge said, The Albuquerque Journal reported. "In my interpretation of the law, there must be that knowledge."

Haskell was killed only a few blocks away from the place where her son, Jeremy, 25, was struck and killed by a vehicle in July 2006.

Get the Story:
Cop Cleared in Fatal Hit-Run (The Albuquerque Journal 4/2)
Gallegos Not To Be Charged In Hit-And-Run (KOAT 4/1)

Related Stories:
Police officer linked to Indian woman's death (5/20)
Navajo woman killed in hit and run in Albuquerque (4/10)