ALBUQUERQUE — The family of William Tenorio said there's no comparing his character with that of Carlos William Fierro, the politically connected lawyer accused of plowing into Tenorio on a Santa Fe street last week and leaving him for dead.

To remember Tenorio, his three children, his siblings and other family members held a news conference at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center on Sunday. They described a community leader at San Felipe Pueblo and Santa Fe Indian School who coached youth sports; a father of three who served as a parental figure for other children; a church leader who taught catechism; and a professional disc jockey who volunteered his services for fundraisers.

They also asked that Fierro not receive special treatment from the legal system.

"The difference between Mr. Fierro and my father is that my dad owned up to his mistakes and accepted the consequences," daughter Dianna Tenorio, 23, said in a statement as she fought back tears. "He used his experiences to guide others in the right direction. My father taught us that it is better to give than to receive. He always put others before himself, and he was very generous."

Fierro, 36, is being held in the Santa Fe County jail on charges of vehicular homicide and leaving the scene of accident that caused death and is scheduled to be arraigned this afternoon in Santa Fe County Magistrate Court. Santa Fe police say he was drunk when he drove his BMW into the 46-year-old Tenorio on Guadalupe Street early Wednesday morning. Police say his passenger was Alfred Lovato, a state police officer who works on Gov. Bill Richardson's security detail. Lovato is on paid administrative leave and hasn't been charged in the case.

Although Tenorio's family declined to discuss the investigation, preferring to let it play out, Dianna Tenorio's statement went at length in comparing her father with Fierro, who worked on the staffs of U.S. Rep. Tom Udall, D-N.M., and U.S. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., and had a short-lived run for the state Public Regulation Commission in 2004. He graduated from both the University of Massachusetts Amherst and The University of New Mexico School of Law.

"My dad, William Tenorio, was not an adviser to politicians. My dad was an adviser to his three children," she said. " ... My dad did not attend a prestigious out-of-state college. My dad attended The University of New Mexico and was 32 hours away from a degree in accounting. ... He did not receive fancy awards. He received smiles and hugs from us and the many others who loved him for his intellect and widsom. ... My dad did not meet with influential leaders. But I believe if he did, he would have had the same effect on them as he did everyone else."

Family members laughed about some of their memories, including how Tenorio's imposing physical presence didn't match his pleasant disposition. "You look at him, and you're really intimidated when you first see him," said younger daughter Adrianne, 20. But Tenorio always greeted people with a smile and asked how they were doing, she said, "and they look at him like, 'Who is this man?' "

One of Tenorio's brothers, David, said Native Americans at tribes and villages from all over who knew Tenorio have expressed their condolences. "It's been absolutely overwhelming," he said. "I didn't realize how great a man he really was."

Another brother, Michael, said Tenorio routinely provided cut-rate or free disc jockey services for people who had a hard time covering the cost.

His sister, Charlotte Little, said Tenorio just recently became more interested in politics and helped as a poll worker and in getting out the vote. He began seeing politics as a way to help tribes. "He had a lot of plans he would have liked to be part of," she said. "It's just so sad he won't get to be part of that anymore."

The family declined to say what Dianna Tenorio meant by her father's mistakes and consequences, and a family spokesowman also declined to say whether — as police have said — Tenorio was a designated driver when he was struck, saying the police investigation will determine that.

Tenorio's brother-in-law, Joseph Little, said the family will be following the criminal proceedings and will wait to see whether to file any civil action.

In her statement, Dianna Tenorio asked for anyone with information about the alleged hit and run to call police investigators. "Most importantly ... I ask that the laws of New Mexico be applied regardless of prestige, power and influence," she said. "I know my dad would want us to ask what lessons can be learned from such a great loss. I hope one of the lessons is that laws protect regular, everyday New Mexican citizens like you and me."

To help Tenorio's children — both his daughters attend New Mexico Highlands University and his son attends Santa Fe Indian School — a trust has been set up. Donations to the William Tenorio Trust Funds can be made at Wells Fargo Bank, 200 Lomas Blvd., in Albuquerque.

Contact Doug Mattson at 986-3087 or dmattson@sfnewmexican.com.