John Jefferson
Left inset: Brian Peterson (KOAT). Right inset: Mark Castello (Albuquerque Police Department). Background: The scene of the crash that killed Peterson (KOAT).
A man from New Mexico who admitted to smoking meth and marijuana before he crashed through a home, killing a grandfather sitting in a recliner watching TV, will spend 10 years in prison.
Mark Castello, 63, learned his fate on Wednesday in the death of Brian Peterson, 74. Castello pleaded guilty to homicide by vehicle.
“We will carry this pain for the rest of our lives. Our family will never be the same. There is no true healing from an event like this,” Peterson’s daughter, Tiffany Saiz, said at the court hearing, local CBS and Fox affiliate KRQE reported.
From the stand, Castello said, “I am aware of the tragic situation that I have put the Peterson family in and what they are about to go through. It was not my intention at all.”
The incident happened on Dec. 28, 2023, authorities said.
Castello drove a white Ford Expedition through a stop sign and crashed through the garage door of a home in Albuquerque, officials said.
The Expedition struck a parked car in the garage, pushing that car into the residence. The second vehicle struck Peterson.
“My dad was trapped in his recliner,” Saiz said. “The wheel of my parent’s car was in the center of his chest. He remained trapped for over 30 minutes as we stood outside, completely helpless.”
Albuquerque police and rescue personnel responded around 12:40 p.m. Peterson died at a hospital.
Castello was also hospitalized for minor injuries and later charged with DWI resulting in death, driving with a revoked license, open container, possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of controlled substance.
He admitted to smoking meth and marijuana before driving, officials said, local NBC affiliate KOB reported. Authorities said they found several open alcohol containers in his vehicle.
Castello’s criminal history includes convictions for DWI, domestic violence, embezzlement, and forgery, the outlet reported.
Peterson’s wife, Jean, told local ABC affiliate KOAT that she was in another room when the crash happened as her husband sat in his favorite chair.
“I heard a horrendous crash, almost like I would have expected a bomb to sound,” she said. “And I thought, ‘What in the world?’ And then I looked over to the left and I saw my car sitting in the living room. I just saw the car sitting where I knew his chair was. I didn’t see him because I couldn’t see over.”
“I went and spoke to him, and he answered me,” she continued. “I heard his voice, but I couldn’t see him.”
She said she spent the night reliving what happened.
“All I could think about was Brian pinned under that car,” she said.
Brian Peterson’s GoFundMe page said he has 10 grandchildren.
His wife, the page said, “is the glue that holds the family together, but Brian was Jean’s rock and a source of support to the family.”
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