UPDATE! State Police Investigate accident on I-40, East of Gallup

(McKinley County, NM) – At approximately 2:13 p.m., state police investigated a fatal motor vehicle accident on I-40 near mile marker 66. The investigation revealed that a 2003 Lexus, driven by Beverly Waddle (74 of Greeley, Co), was eastbound on I-40 and drove upon an area of the roadway that was covered with hale and rain. The Lexus began spinning in the roadway as the driver lost control of the vehicle and it eventually came to rest, facing west, on the paved eastbound shoulder of I-40. A 1996 Chevrolet Cavilier, driven by Joan Zettervall (57 of Brainerd, MN) was eastbound on I-40 and also drove upon the area of the roadway that was covered by hale and rain. The Chevrolet Cavilier began fishtailing and the right rear of the vehicle struck a guardrail, causing the Cavilier to go into a broadside skid facing south. The driver’s side of the Cavilier crashed into the front of the Lexus that came to rest on the eastbound shoulder.

The driver of the Chevrolet Cavilier, Ms. Zettervall, sustained fatal injuries. A passenger in the Cavilier, Donna Beck (57 of Eagan, MN) was seriously injured and initially transported to Cibola General Hospital. She was later airlifted to UNMH in Albuquerque. Bruce Waddle (74 of Greeley, Co.) was a passenger in the Lexus. Mr. & Ms. Waddle were transported by ambulance to Cibola General Hospital with minor injuries. Eastbound traffic was diverted onto the frontage road at mile marker 53. The eastbound lanes of I-40 were reopened at approximately 5:36 p.m.

The state police have investigated several fatal accidents recently, which were weather related, involving heavy rain and hale. The motoring public’s safety is important to the state police and we would like to remind motorist to drive carefully and reduce their speed as they drive through these storms.

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