The initial investigation indicated a 2003 Lincoln passenger car was traveling south on U.S. Highway 550. For reasons still under investigation the vehicle left the roadway and rolled. Both rear seat passengers were ejected from the vehicle and pronounced deceased on the scene by the office of the Medical Investigator. The driver and front seat passenger were transported to area hospitals for treatment. Their conditions and injuries are not known.
From New Mexico State Police
Monday, December 16, 2019:
On December 14, 2019 at about 10:30 p.m. the New Mexico State Police investigated a fatal crash on U.S. Highway 550 around mile post 168, north of Aztec.
The initial investigation indicated a 2003 Lincoln passenger car was traveling south on U.S. Highway 550. For reasons still under investigation the vehicle left the roadway and rolled. Both rear seat passengers were ejected from the vehicle and pronounced deceased on the scene by the office of the Medical Investigator. The driver and front seat passenger were transported to area hospitals for treatment. Their conditions and injuries are not known.
The rear seat passengers who died in the crash were identified as Marcelino Marquez (52) of San Juan, NM and Michael Tsosie (52) of Sweetwater, AZ. The male driver (18) and the male front seat passenger (19) both of San Juan, NM will not be identified at this time.
Alcohol is suspected in being a contributing factor to the crash, and seatbelts were not properly utilized. The crash is still under investigation by the New Mexico State Police Uniform Bureau and the New Mexico State Police Crash Reconstruction Unit. No additional information is available at this time.
Phase III of the $30 million project includes $27 million in state funds and $3 million in matching funds from San Juan County to fully fund and complete the project by 2029.
Irrigation for lawns accounts for 70% of Durango’s water usage, so outdoor landscape will be limited to three days a week between the hours of 7 p.m. and 9 a.m. for both residential and commercial users. Odd-numbered addresses are restricted to watering on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Even-numbered addresses are restricted to watering on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays. Outdoor landscape irrigation is prohibited during all hours on Wednesdays.
Upon arrival, officers observed a male and female walking who matched the provided descriptions. Officers gave commands for Leon Quintana (27) to place his hands on his head and walk backward toward them.
During the encounter, Mr. Quintana hesitated and shifted his movements while officers continued giving commands. He then produced a firearm and fired a shot toward officers, striking an officer’s patrol car. A second shot was also fired.
The agreement authorizes NDOT to transfer $2,790,647 to NMDOT to administer procurement and construction of the NM371/N36 Intersection Improvement Project. This long-needed project will include roadway widening and the installation of a traffic signal and lighting system designed to reduce accidents, improve traffic flow, and enhance overall public safety for residents, school buses, emergency responders, and travelers who rely on this heavily used corridor.