Lea County, NM – On January 28, 2023, at around 6:44 p.m. the New Mexico State Police responded to a fatal crash involving 3 vehicles at the intersection of US Highway 82 and Prairieview Road northeast of Lovington.
The initial investigation indicated that a 2016 Ford truck driven by a 46-year-old female was traveling north on Prairieview Road. The Ford truck stopped at the intersection of Prairieview Road and US 82. For reasons still under investigation the Ford attempted to cross US 82 and was struck by a 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe that was driving southwest on US Highway 82. A 2018 Ford Escape that was traveling southwest on US 82 behind the Tahoe then also collided with the Ford truck.
Melinda Kay Shaw (58), of Melrose, NM was a passenger in the Ford truck and suffered fatal injuries in the crash. She was pronounced deceased on scene by the Office of the Medical Investigator. The driver and 10-year-old female second passenger in the Ford truck were injured and airlifted to a hospital in Lubbock, TX. Their conditions are unknown.
The 41-year-old male driver of the Chevy Tahoe, the 38-year-old female driver of the Escape, and the 12-year-old male passenger in the Escape were all transported to an area hospital for injuries and then later transported to a hospital in Lubbock, TX. Their condition is unknown.
Everyone involved in the crash appear to have been properly wearing a seatbelt. Alcohol does not appear to be a factor in this crash which is being investigated by the New Mexico State Police.
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