Chaves County, NM – On October 19, at around 07:30 a.m., New Mexico State Police officers were dispatched to a crash on U.S. 285 near milepost 88, in between Roswell and Artesia.
The initial investigation indicated that a 2019 Peterbilt semi-tractor-trailer was traveling south on U.S. 285 behind a southbound 2003 Chevrolet pickup. For reasons still under investigation, the Chevrolet pickup was rear-ended by the Peterbilt.
After the impact, the Chevrolet left the roadway, crashed, and rolled. Luis Alberto Borunda, 23, of Roswell suffered fatal injuries in the crash and was pronounced deceased on the scene by the Office of the Medical Investigator.
The 51-year-old driver and 47-year-old second passenger in the Chevrolet both sustained injuries not believed to be life-threatening. The driver was transported to a local hospital for treatment of his injuries.
The 54-year-old male driver of the Peterbilt was not injured. Both vehicles were towed from this crash scene which had southbound traffic of U.S. 285 closed at Ottowa Road for over four hours.
Alcohol is not believed to have been a factor in this crash and seatbelt usage by the victim is not known. This crash remains under investigation by the New Mexico State Police.
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