Eddy County, NM – An Artesia teen was killed on Monday when the vehicle he was a passenger in collided with a semi-truck.
New Mexico State Police received the call on August 22, at around 6:00 p.m., and were alerted to a two-vehicle crash on U.S. 285 at the intersection of West Atoka Road just south of Artesia.
The initial investigation indicates that a 2012 Dodge Journey was traveling south on U.S. 285. For reasons still under investigation, the 19-year-old driver of the Dodge attempted to turn onto West Atoka Road and turned in front of a 2015 Peterbilt semi-truck that was traveling north on U.S. 285. The semi struck the passenger side of the Dodge.
The 15-year-old passenger in the Dodge suffered fatal injuries in the collision and was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Office of the Medical Investigator. He was wearing his seatbelt at the time of the crash.
The 19-year-old driver of the Dodge was transported to a local hospital and then airlifted to an area trauma center. His seatbelt usage and current condition are not known.
NMSP does not release the names of minors or those not yet charged with a crime in press releases. Alcohol is not believed to have been a factor in this crash which is still under investigation by the New Mexico State Police.
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