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.
As three individuals tried to leave a party, a male subject began shooting, unintentionally striking the vehicle and, subsequently, a passenger inside the vehicle. The passenger was transported to San Juan Regional Medical Center and later transported to UNM in Albuquerque, where she is awake and in stable condition.
Using multiple means of evidence, the driver was identified as Alvin Paul who was driving a 2003 white Chevrolet when he veered off the road, hitting Shirley. Paul did not stop or report the crash and surveillance footage from a nearby business proved Paul as the driver. He later admitted to operating the vehicle carelessly.
At the time of the crash, Paul’s driver’s license was revoked from a prior DWI arrests. He has two prior DWI convictions and is currently on probation for the second DWI.
Preliminary investigation indicates the individuals involved were known to one another, and this incident does not appear to be a random act of violence.
No weapons were located on the suspect and he was arrested and charged with assault upon a school employee, unlawful shooting threats, disorderly conduct, and interference with members of staff or the general public.
In addition, the study finds that reducing truck traffic on major highways is a major benefit to rail, with reduced motor vehicle crashes and reduced wear and tear to roadways.
The next phase of this project is already funded by a $4 million Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvement (CRISI) Grant and $1 million match from the New Mexico Match Fund.