Sandoval County – At approximately 8:45 a.m. this morning, State Police Officers responded to the scene of a two vehicle crash, on I-25 approximately 3 miles south of the Bernalillo exit.
Officers arrived on scene and found a gray 2004 Cadillac on northbound shoulder of the I-25 northbound lanes. Debris was scattered across I-25 northbound lanes to the southbound lanes, where a marked Sandoval County Fire Department Ford SUV was found on its top in the left hand passing lane of southbound I-25.
Preliminary investigation determined that both vehicle’s had been traveling northbound on I-25, when the crash occurred. The vehicle’s came into to contact with each other in the northbound lanes for an undetermined reason, causing the driver’s to lose control.
The driver of the marked Ford SUV, located in the southbound lane was identified as John Tibbits (59) of Albuquerque. Tibbits, who was the current Sandoval County Fire Chief succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The driver of the Cadillac was taken to a local Albuquerque hospital with minor injuries.
The crash investigation will continue to determine the cause and any enforcement.
Contact: Lieutenant Robert McDonald
