Written by Officer Dusty Francisco 4/29/2022
McKinley County, NM – On April 27, 2022, at approximately 1:40 p.m., the New Mexico State Police investigated a fatal crash involving two vehicles on Interstate 40 near milepost 62, by Prewitt, NM.
The initial investigation indicated a 1997 Toyota 4-Runner SUV, driven by Brandon Spangler (32) of Riverbank, CA, was traveling west in the right lane of Interstate 40 at a slow rate of speed. For unknown reasons, the Toyota swerved into the left lane in front of a 2019 Chevrolet 2500 pickup which was also traveling west and attempting to pass the Toyota. The Toyota was struck on the left side by the Chevrolet. Spangler was transported by emergency medical personnel to a hospital in Grants, NM, where he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased by the Office of Medical Investigator.
The driver of the Chevrolet, a 64-year-old male, and a passenger, a 62-year-old female both of Thorndale, TX, were uninjured in the crash. A rear passenger in the Chevrolet, Tracye Clark (63) of Missouri, TX sustained injuries believed to be non-life-threatening. She was transported by emergency medical personnel to a hospital in Grants, NM.
Alcohol appears to be a contributing factor in the crash. Seatbelts were properly used by all occupants, except for Clark. Clark was cited into the Cibola County Magistrate Court for no seatbelt. The driver and passenger of the Chevrolet will not be named by State Police, due to them not being charged. This crash is under investigation by the New Mexico State Police.