The initial investigation indicated that the Nissan Altima driven by Leanna Florez, 24, of Blanco, NM was traveling west on U.S. 64. For unknown reasons the Altima crossed the center line and crashed head-on into the Toyota Tundra. Florez, who doesn’t appear to have been wearing a seatbelt, suffered fatal injuries in the crash and was pronounced deceased on the scene by the Office of the Medical Investigator.
From NM State Police
Monday, October 31, 2022
On October 29, at about 4:00 p.m., New Mexico State Police officers were dispatched to U.S. Highway 64 near milepost 79, east of Bloomfield for a head-on crash involving a 2012 Nissan Altima and a 2015 Toyota Tundra.
The initial investigation indicated that the Nissan Altima driven by Leanna Florez, 24, of Blanco, NM was traveling west on U.S. 64. For unknown reasons the Altima crossed the center line and crashed head-on into the Toyota Tundra. Florez, who doesn’t appear to have been wearing a seatbelt, suffered fatal injuries in the crash and was pronounced deceased on the scene by the Office of the Medical Investigator.
The 58-year-old male driver and the three passengers in the Tundra were transported to an area hospital for treatment of their injuries. Their conditions are not known.
Alcohol use does appear to have been a factor in this crash. This crash is under investigation by the New Mexico State Police.
The New Mexico Department of Justice has investigated fuel prices in San Juan County under prior Attorneys General. Investigations were inconclusive, but there was relief at the pump for a brief period. “We just want to be assured that San Juan County is paying what’s fair at the pump,” said Commissioner Lanier. “With limited competition between brands, it is worth checking out.”
Deputies responded to reports of a shooting and located 18-year-old Elihue Vialpando, who had sustained fatal gunshot wounds. A second victim, Jack Chavez, suffered a gunshot wound to his leg and was transported to San Juan Regional Medical Center for treatment. Witness statements revealed Vialpando brandished a pistol and fired rounds earlier in the night, but based on the timeline of events and witness statements, did not support actions by Thomas Vigil.
The suspect escaped during Sunday afternoon church services. He asked to go to the bathroom and never returned, immediately initiating a count and search of the facility.
This is the first escape in the 31-year history of the jail-based treatment center.
Earlier this week, Jacob Marriott was sentenced after pleading guilty to 4 counts of Manufacturing of Child Pornography (2nd Degree Felony), 1 count of Possession of Child Pornography (4th Degree Felony), and 2 counts of Voyeurism of a Child Under 18 (3rd Degree Felony).
We'll be updating this page with results throughout the evening on Tuesday, June 2, 2026:
These are the unofficial results of the contested NM Primary races in San Juan County on June 2, 2026: