Written by Officer Dusty Francisco 5/26/2022
Eddy County, NM – On May 25, 2022, at approximately 5:40 a.m., the New Mexico State Police investigated a two-vehicle fatal crash on US Highway 285 near milepost 65, south of Artesia, NM.
The initial investigation indicates a 1998 Chevrolet pickup truck, and a 2020 Ford F-250 pickup truck, were both traveling south on US Highway 285. For reasons unknown, near milepost 65, the Chevrolet struck the Ford in the right lane. The driver of the Chevrolet, Donald Flores (48) of Roswell, NM, was transported to the Artesia General Hospital in Artesia, NM, where he succumbed to his injuries. The driver of the Ford and three other passengers inside the vehicle were all uninjured.
It is unknown if alcohol was a contributing factor in the crash. Seatbelts were only properly used by all the occupants in Ford. The driver’s name of the Ford will not be released by State Police, due to no charges being filed. This crash is under investigation by the New Mexico State Police.