State Police Investigate Fatality in Roosevelt County

(Roosevelt County, New Mexico) – At approximately 5:10 a.m., state police, District 9 Clovis, investigated a head on collision on US 60/84, near mile post 346.5, which resulted in one fatality and the injury of another driver. The investigation revealed a semi, a 2001 Volvo towing a box type trailer, was westbound on US 60/84. Another semi, a 2000 Volvo towing a flatbed trailer with flammable gas canisters, was eastbound on US 60/84. The investigation led investigators to believe the westbound truck crossed the center line and the two trucks collided left front to left front, in a partial head on collision.

When officers arrived on scene, they discovered some of the gas canisters were damaged during the collision. The roadway was closed in the vicinity of the accident while investigators assessed the damage and worked to clear the roadway. Travel each direction has been allowed on one lane; however traffic is being stopped off and on as the clean up continues. The truck was carrying several pressurized gas cylinders containing different gases to include oxygen, acetylene, and helium. It was later determined the cylinders that were leaking only contained air; however thirty other canisters containing flammable gases may have been damaged during the collision.

The driver of the westbound 2001 Volvo was identified as William Edward Paul (60 of Scottsboro, Alabama) and was fatally injured. The driver of the eastbound 2000 Volvo was seriously injured and initially transported to Plains Regional Medical Center in Clovis and later transported to a hospital in Lubbock, TX. The Motor Transportation Division conducted a post crash inspection of both commercial vehicles and and was not able to locate evidence of pre-crash damage that contributed to the accident.

The driver of the eastbound truck has been identified as Carlos Hinejos (43 of Albuquerque). He received serious injuries and was transported to Plains Regional Medical Center in Clovis, and later transferred to a hospital in Lubbock, Tx.

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