Alcohol & Texting May Have Caused Fatal 550 Crash

Tuesday, December 15, 2015 at 12:00 AM

Witnesses at the crash indicate Mr. Shorty was traveling at a high rate of speed and may have been texting. Investigating officers located his cell phone on scene, which had a partially completed text typed out but had not been sent. Officers believe Mr. Shorty was also intoxicated and alcohol is believed to have been a factor in this crash.

From NM State Police:

On Monday, December 14, 2015 around 3:00 p.m., New Mexico State Police officers responded to a single-vehicle rollover crash at milepost 146 on US 550, south of Bloomfield.

The preliminary investigation indicated a Pontiac passenger car traveling north on US 550 drove into the median area, over-corrected, and drove back into the northbound lanes of traffic before striking a guardrail and rolling onto its side. The driver, identified as Christian Shorty (22) from Farmington, was not wearing his seatbelt and was ejected from the vehicle. He was pronounced deceased at the scene.

An adult female passenger, identified as Lynell Begay of Farmington, sustained severe injuries but is in stable condition. She was wearing her seatbelt. The third occupant of the vehicle, a three year old male identified as Kyler Nez, was seated in the back seat with only a lap belt. He was uninjured in the crash.

This crash is still under investigation and no further details are available.

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