Alcohol appears to be a contributing factor in the crash and seatbelts appear to have not been utilized properly. The crash remains under investigation by New Mexico State Police.
From NM State Police:
Monday, March 16, 2020
On March 13, 2020 at about 5:55 p.m., the New Mexico State Police investigated a multiple fatality head-on crash on State Road 371, near milepost 103, south of Farmington, NM.
The initial investigation indicated a 2016 Jeep, driven by Bilgradel Lansing (44) of Farmington was traveling north on State Road 371. For reasons unknown the Jeep crossed over the center line into oncoming traffic of the southbound lane and collided head-on into a 2016 Chevrolet, driven by Cyrus Pete (25) of Farmington, NM. Both drivers of the Jeep and Chevrolet, Lansing and Pete sustained fatal injuries in the crash, and both were pronounced deceased on scene by the Office of Medical Investigator. A passenger in the Chevrolet, a 28-year-old sustained unknown injuries and was transported to a hospital by emergency medical personnel.
There were three additional passengers in the Jeep at the time of the crash, a 50-year-old, a 16-year-old and Ada Lansing (76) of Tees Nos Pos, NM. All three passengers were transported to a hospital with unknown injuries by emergency medical personnel. Lansing succumbed to injuries at the hospital and she was pronounced deceased by a doctor.
Alcohol appears to be a contributing factor in the crash and seatbelts appear to have not been utilized properly. The crash remains under investigation by New Mexico State Police. No additional information is available.
The governor’s visit was carefully scheduled to give first responders, law enforcement and emergency vehicles ample time to complete rescues and other emergency work during the flooding. Now that the floodwaters are receding and initial damage assessments are underway, the Governor will survey the disaster zone and work to get families the help they need.
Bloomfield Residents and businesses: please minimize water use until further notice. Postpone laundry and dishwasher use, keep showers brief, and reduce toilet flushing when practical and sanitary. Every reduction helps limit wastewater entering the river.
The district has worked with the Lower Valley Water Users Association on the testing needed to lift the boil water notice. Because of the number of tests required, the district has decided to keep students on remote learning as a precaution for their well-being. If test results come back early, the district must still follow processes and protocols to flush and clear the water lines at each school before in-person instruction can resume. Safety is our top priority for the well-being of our Kirtland students.
Water Samples taken from the Lower Valley Water Association system have tested negative for e-coli. The Boil Water notice has been lifted for customers.
Through the course of the investigation, detectives discovered that Lauren Patterson’s husband, Jess Patterson, had previously resided in California and had been arrested at least 6 times for domestic violence in that state and had been arrested in July 2026 in New Mexico for battering Ms. Patterson. An autopsy revealed Ms. Patterson suffered multiple broken bones, bruising, and internal injuries.