Written by Officer Dusty Francisco 06/14/2021
Eddy County, NM– On June 12, 2021, at approximately 1:42 a.m., the New Mexico State Police investigated a fatal ATV crash near South 26th Street and West Fairgrounds Road, south of Artesia, NM.
The initial investigation indicated a 2016 Honda Side by Side ATV, driven by Benjamin Ray Hernandez (22) of Artesia, NM was traveling west on West Fairgrounds Road. For reasons unknown, the Honda entered a curved portion of the roadway and rolled.
Hernandez, who was not wearing a seatbelt was ejected from the ATV. He was transported by emergency medical personnel to the Artesia General Hospital in Artesia, NM. Hernandez succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased by a doctor.
Alcohol does not appear to be a contributing factor in the crash and seatbelts were not properly utilized. This crash is under investigation by the New Mexico State Police.