Lea County, NM – On December 21, 2022, at about 3:01 p.m., the New Mexico State Police investigated a fatal head-on crash on US Highway 62/180 near mile marker 63 east of Carlsbad, New Mexico.
The initial investigation shows a 2015 Nissan passenger vehicle, driven by Earl Burton (45) of Woodlands, TX was traveling eastbound in the westbound lanes of US Highway 62/180 near mile marker 63. The Nissan collided head-on with a 2023 Chevrolet Silverado that was traveling west on US Highway 62/180. Burton sustained fatal injuries in the crash and was pronounced deceased on the scene by the Office of the Medical Investigator.
The driver of the Chevrolet Silverado, a forty-six-year-old male was treated by emergency medical personnel on the scene for minor injuries.
Alcohol does appear to be a factor and seatbelts appear to have been properly utilized. This crash remains under investigation which is being led by the New Mexico State Police.
###