Fatal crash; Two semitrucks cause traffic delay

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PUEBLO OF LAGUNA, N.M. – The New Mexico State Police were dispatched to the 109-mile marker, Interstate 40, near the Pueblo of Laguna in reference to an accident on Sept. 6.

As NMSP arrived they discovered that one semitruck had crashed into the rear trailer of another semitruck. The state police found that the two commercial vehicles, a 2014 Kenworth and a 2001 Freightliner, were travelling eastbound on I-40.

“For unknown reasons, the Kenworth failed to slow down or stop and rear-ended the Freightliner,” according to NMSP Officer Ray Wilson.

The driver of the Kenworth, a 53-year-old Fresno, California man, was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the Freightliner, a 26-year-old Lynwood, Calif. man, was uninjured in the accident.

Officer Wilson said that alcohol does not appear to have been a factor in the accident, and that seatbelts were properly worn by both drivers. The victim will not be named until he can be positively identified by the Office of the State Medical Investigator.

The New Mexico State Police is still investigating this accident; they have not said whether any charges will be filed.

I-40 was backed up throughout the holiday weekend, with Cibola County Sheriff Tony Mace saying that this was just one of a string of accidents that CCSO assisted NMSP with during the Labor Day weekend.

CCSO reminded drivers to be mindful of their driving and careful when on the road, especially during windy or other hazardous conditions.