Death by Cop 2021-2025
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Alexandria Gerard
Age : 43
Gender : Female
Race : White
Date : 08/07/2024
Location : Intersection of Edith Boulevard NE and Alameda Boulevard NE
City : North Valley
County : Bernalillo
State : New Mexico
Agency : Bernalillo County Sheriff's Office; Albuquerque Police Department
Officer(s) :Deputy Bryan Lassley
Cause of Death : Vehicle
Event : Bystander killed by police chase crash
OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :
n 08/07/2024, Bernalillo County Sheriff's Office Deputy Bryan Lassley reported that he attempted to stop a silver Honda he considered suspicious while driving north on Edith Boulevard NE shortly after midnight. Lassley reported over the radio that he lost sight of the vehicle and moments later stated the Honda had stopped abruptly.
Deputy Lassley struck the rear of Alexandria Gerard's Honda with his marked Ford Explorer. The impact sent Gerard's vehicle into a stone wall at the intersection of Edith Boulevard NE and Alameda Boulevard NE. Gerard was trapped behind the steering wheel and died at the scene. Deputy Lassley was not injured.
Bernalillo County Sheriff John Allen requested that the Albuquerque Police Department conduct the criminal traffic investigation to avoid a conflict of interest. Deputy Lassley was placed on paid administrative leave while the investigation proceeded.
The Albuquerque Police Department's crash investigation later concluded that data downloaded from Lassley's patrol vehicle showed he accelerated to approximately 70 mph in a 25 mph zone seconds before the collision. The report concluded Lassley slowed briefly, then accelerated again immediately before striking Gerard's vehicle. Investigators also determined Gerard's Honda showed rear-end impact damage consistent with the Sheriff's Office push bumper.
Investigators documented that Gerard was not wearing a seat belt and that the driver's airbag in her Honda had previously been removed. The autopsy found fatal chest injuries consistent with the collision.
Body-worn camera video, lapel camera footage, surveillance video, radio traffic, and investigative reports were later released through New Mexico's Inspection of Public Records Act. The public release showed Deputy Lassley attempting to free Gerard immediately after the crash while additional deputies and Albuquerque Police personnel responded.After the fatal crash that killed Alexandria Gerard, Deputy Bryan Lassley was placed on paid administrative leave while the Albuquerque Police Department conducted an outside investigation. Investigators concluded that Lassley accelerated to approximately 70 mph in a 25 mph zone, followed Gerard's vehicle too closely, and did not have his emergency lights activated immediately before the collision. The case was referred to an outside prosecutor because of a conflict of interest, but no criminal charges were filed and Lassley remained employed by the Bernalillo County Sheriff's Office.
Lassley later became the subject of a separate internal and criminal investigation arising from a December 2025 incident involving a handcuffed juvenile girl outside the Bernalillo County Youth Services Center. Body-camera video showed Lassley pushing the girl and investigators alleged he slammed her head against a patrol vehicle. Sheriff John Allen announced that Lassley would be terminated, describing the conduct as unacceptable. A grand jury later indicted Lassley on felony aggravated battery and child abuse charges. Before the disciplinary process was completed, Lassley resigned from the Sheriff's Office and pleaded not guilty to the criminal charges.
