There are approximately 623,955 registered vehicles in New Mexico. This does not account for the countless tourist visiting the “Land of Enchantment.” There are plenty of great reasons to travel throughout the state. It is truly beautiful and there is a lot to see. Although they do not all share the road at once, with so many vehicles in operation there are an abundance of opportunities for fatal car accidents in New Mexico.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an average of 3,700 people die every day in vehicle accidents across the United States. In 2020, there were 365 fatal car accidents in New Mexico. Learn more about how these occur and keep up with the latest news, including fatal car accidents in New Mexico yesterday and today.
Each year, 1.35 million people are killed on roadways around the world. There are countless reasons that car accidents occur, but the large majority of the time, the root cause is driver error. New Mexico tends to sit in the middle when it comes to most national driving statistics. But in 2018 New Mexico ranked fifth highest for driving fatalities.
On this page, we strive to keep the community up to date on the most recent car accidents that have occurred in New Mexico. If you’re looking for information about serious or even fatal car accidents in New Mexico from yesterday, today, or the recent past, review our detailed news recaps below.
Distracted driving ranks as one of the most common reasons fatal car accidents occur. In 2019 and 2020, New Mexico was rated highest for distracted driving as reported by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. For every 100,000 drivers, the state reported 10 distracted driving fatalities which total 38 percent of all fatal crashes in the state. Distractions include things like:
With the addition of smartphones, a fatal car accident in New Mexico today could be attributed to any number of mobile distractions.
There are some factors that will always increase the probability of accidents. Some other common causes of fatal accidents include
In some cases, road and weather conditions may also be a factor. Icy or wet roads may prevent tires from being able to grip the road. Roads that are poorly maintained and have potholes or lack traffic signs can also lead to serious vehicle accidents. When it comes to roads in New Mexico, 34% are rated as being in poor condition.
It may seem like there are new accidents every day. 2022 was a year with quite a few fatal car accidents. Here are the statistics according to the New Mexico Department of transportation:
The number of total accidents in 2022 is down by 14 from 2021.
Below, you’ll find up-to-date information on fatal car accidents in New Mexico, which can shed light on what actions to take should you find yourself in these types of situations. Please remember to drive carefully for your sake and others.
If you or a loved one suffers injury in an accident, reach out to our compassionate and knowlegedable attorneys at Flores, Tawney & Acosta. We can help you understand your options and take the burden of seeking just compensation off your plate. Contact us today to learn more.
Albuquerque police have released hours of lapel camera footage capturing Chief Harold Medina running a red light and crashing into another car while fleeing gunfire. The videos depict various responses to the incident: officers checking on the crash victim, Todd Perchert, a group collecting video evidence of the alleged shooter, and Chief Medina directing officers to witnesses. Perchert, recounting...
Continue ReadingThe Albuquerque Police Department has released partial body camera footage of a vehicle crash involving Police Chief Harold Medina, which occurred on the same day as a nearby shooting incident on February 17. Chief Medina provided his account of the crash shortly after it happened. The department has initiated an investigation into the incident. Todd Perchert, 55, who was...
Continue ReadingTodd Perchert, who was hit by Albuquerque Police Chief Harold Medina in February, has spoken up about the incident. Perchert was driving to meet a car club when Chief Medina, en route to a news conference in an unmarked police vehicle, hit his Mustang. Medina explained he had circled back to investigate a homeless camp he and his wife...
Continue ReadingTodd Perchert, 55, suffered severe injuries in a car crash involving Albuquerque Police Chief Harold Medina, who ran a red light while purportedly escaping gunfire. The collision left Perchert with broken bones, a collapsed lung, and extensive lacerations. Despite undergoing surgery and a lengthy hospital stay, Perchert continues to endure significant pain and faces a prolonged recovery. Medina and...
Continue ReadingTodd Perchert was driving his vintage Mustang down Route 66 when Albuquerque’s police chief, Harold Medina, in an unmarked police truck, crashed into him at Central and Alvarado. Perchert suffered life-altering injuries: broken collarbone, shoulder blade, eight ribs, and a collapsed lung. Titanium plates were needed in a seven-hour surgery. The city’s response has been criticized; the Percherts seek...
Continue ReadingTodd Perchert was driving his ’66 gold Mustang along Route 66 when an Albuquerque police chief, Harold Medina, crashed into him. Perchert underwent extensive surgery and faces lifelong injuries, prompting a lawsuit against the city for compensation and accountability. Medina’s truck collided with Perchert’s at a red light after a nearby gunshot, yet Medina and his wife emerged unscathed....
Continue ReadingThe victim’s lawyers, of the accident involving a police chief, revealed that previous officers had been terminated for similar reckless driving. They are not pushing for the APD chief’s resignation but are demanding accountability for his actions and a thorough investigation into the case. Read the full story and watch the news-piece on Telemundo Nuevo Mexico >>
Continue ReadingTodd Perchert, 55, along with his wife Danielle and their attorney James Tawney, held a news conference in Albuquerque seeking accountability following a crash involving Albuquerque Police Chief Harold Medina on February 17, 2024. Perchert was driving his 1966 Ford Mustang when Chief Medina, responding to a nearby altercation, accelerated into Perchert’s vehicle. Perchert sustained severe injuries including a...
Continue ReadingTodd Perchert, seriously injured in a T-bone crash caused by Albuquerque’s police chief, recounts his life-changing experience. Perchert was cruising in his vintage Mustang when Chief Harold Medina’s unmarked police truck slammed into him at an intersection. Perchert suffered severe injuries, including a broken collarbone, shoulder blade, eight ribs, and a collapsed lung, requiring extensive surgery. The crash totaled...
Continue ReadingRio Arriba County, New Mexico (December 9, 2023) — Four people were killed in a two-vehicle crash early Saturday morning in Rio Arriba County. According to the New Mexico State Police, two cars were traveling on US Highway 84. Around 3:30 AM, the two vehicles—a jeep and a pickup truck—crashed head-on near Medanales. Both vehicles caught on fire. Each...
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