Socorro County, NM – On May 9, 2021 just after midnight, the New Mexico State Police was alerted to a two-vehicle crash on Interstate 25 around mile post 140 south of Socorro.
The initial investigation indicates that for reasons still under investigation a 2007 Nissan Sentra driven by a 69-year-old female and occupied by two other adult passengers was merging onto the north bound right-hand lane of I-25 from the shoulder at a slow rate of speed. The Sentra was struck from behind by a 2020 Nissan Frontier driven by a 30-year-old female and occupied by four children, ages 12, 8, 7, and 4.
Both vehicles were heavily damaged, and all occupants sustained various degrees of injury and were transported to area hospitals for treatment. Jesse Lueras, 55, of Carlsbad was a rear seat passenger in the Nissan Sentra and suffered fatal injuries in the crash. He was pronounced deceased on scene by the office of the medical investigator.
NMSP does not release the identities of surviving victims or their medical conditions via press release. Seatbelts do not appear to have been properly worn. Alcohol does not appear to have been a factor in this crash which is still under investigation by the New Mexico State Police.