Written by Officer Dusty Francisco 5/16/2022
Quay County, NM – On May 15, 2022, at approximately 9:32 a.m., the New Mexico State Police investigated a fatal crash involving two Commercial Motor Vehicles on U.S. 54 near milepost 346, near Nara Visa, NM by the New Mexico, and Texas state line.
The initial investigation indicated a 2022 Freightliner Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV), driven by a 55-year-old male was traveling east on U.S. 54. For reasons still under investigation, near milepost 346, the Freightliner crossed over the center stripe line into the westbound lane where it sideswiped another CMV, a 2019 Volvo that was traveling west. After the collision, the Volvo CMV left the roadway and overturned. The driver of Volvo CMV, Roger Craghead (41) of Knob Noster, MO, sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased on scene by the Office of Medical Investigator. The driver of the Freightliner sustained unknown injuries and was transported by emergency medical personnel to an area hospital where he was treated and released.
Alcohol was not a contributing factor in the crash. This crash remains under investigation by the New Mexico State Police. Based on the outcome of the investigation, the driver of the Freightliner is pending charges.