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.
Las Cruces, NM (April 20, 2023) — New Mexico State Police shut down all of I-10 on Wednesday morning after a major 18-wheeler crash near Vado. The accident occurred at around 5:00 AM at Vado Drive between Mesquite and Anthony. According to the New Mexico Department of Transportation, the crash happened between a commercial semi-truck and a car. Both...
Continue ReadingCarrizozo, NM (April 5, 2023) — The New Mexico State Police are investigating an accident that occurred Monday morning on U.S. Highway 54 leaving one person dead. The crash happened at around 9:00 AM at milepost 130, just north of Carrizozo. According to the NMSP, 25-year-old Jay Drake Murrey of Nottingham, New Hampshire, was traveling south on the highway...
Continue ReadingCurry County, NM (April 4, 2023) — According to the New Mexico Department of Transportation, a worker struck by a vehicle last Thursday in Curry County tragically lost their life. The accident occurred at around 11:00 AM on State Road 209 around mile marker six, which is just north of Clovis. The victim, 58-year-old Gerald R. Woodard, was providing...
Continue ReadingAlbuquerque, NM (March 23, 2023) — All westbound lanes of I-40 were blocked for a few hours on Wednesday afternoon after three different collisions along the interstate. According to New Mexico State Police, the crashes happened around mile marker 203 just west of Clines Corners. One car crash east of Albuquerque involved a commercial vehicle, while another involved three...
Continue ReadingAlbuquerque, NM (March 7, 2023) — A Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office deputy and another driver were injured on Saturday night following an accident where the deputy was rushing to an unrelated standoff. The crash happened at the intersection of San Mateo Boulevard and Montgomery Boulevard. According to officials, the officer was responding to a SWAT standoff involving a suspect...
Continue ReadingHatch, NM (March 3, 2023) — An accident involving two semi-trucks left 2 dead after the crash between Hatch and Deming on Thursday morning. The incident happened on NM 26 about 15 miles southwest of Hatch, resulting in a temporary closure of the highway. According to the New Mexico Department of Transportation, the crash occurred between a FedEx semi...
Continue ReadingLas Cruces, NM (February 23, 2023) — One woman was killed and another was injured Tuesday night after a street racer collided with their vehicle in Las Cruces. The accident occurred shortly before 10:30 PM at the intersection of Lohman Avenue and Espina Street. According to Las Cruces Police, the two women were traveling southbound on Espina in a...
Continue ReadingPortales, NM (January 27, 2023) — This past Wednesday morning, a school bus carrying students from Portales Municipal Schools was involved in an accident with a commercial vehicle. The crash, which occurred at the intersection of State Road 236 and Roosevelt Road T, happened at around 7:30 AM. According to New Mexico State Police, the school bus was traveling south...
Continue ReadingAccording to the Texas Department of Safety, a 23-year-old man suffered fatal injuries after crashing into the rear of a flatbed trailer while driving westbound on I-10. Eric Gomez’s fatal crash in El Paso happened around 7 p.m. on October 11, 2022, near mile marker 116 in Hudspeth County near Fort Hancock. Details on Eric Gomez’s Car Accident in...
Continue ReadingThree people died in a head-on collision in El Paso between a Ford F-150 and Nissan Sentra on October 10, 2022. The crash happened at the 1600 block of North Ascencion Street around midnight. The driver of the truck was transported to the hospital with minor injuries. All three occupants in the Nissan Sentra passed away from their injuries....
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