The initial investigation indicates a 1989 grey Ford F250, driven by James Cummins (81) of Farmington, NM was traveling south across US Highway 64 from County Road 5322 to County Road 5323. For unknown reasons, a white Ford F250 traveling west on US Highway 64 struck the grey Ford F250. Cummins sustained fatal injuries in the crash and was pronounced deceased on the scene by the Office of the Medical Investigator.
From NM State Police:
Tuesday, October 5, 2021
On October 2, 2021, at around 6:14 p.m., the New Mexico State Police investigated a two-vehicle fatal crash on US Highway 64 near mile marker 60 and County Road 5322, west of Bloomfield, New Mexico.
The initial investigation indicates a 1989 grey Ford F250, driven by James Cummins (81) of Farmington, NM was traveling south across US Highway 64 from County Road 5322 to County Road 5323. For unknown reasons, a white Ford F250 traveling west on US Highway 64 struck the grey Ford F250. Cummins sustained fatal injuries in the crash and was pronounced deceased on the scene by the Office of the Medical Investigator.
The driver of the Ford F250, who will not be named by the New Mexico State Police at this time, was transported to an area hospital for injuries believed to be non-life-threatening. Driver inattention appears to be a contributing factor in the crash. Alcohol does not appear to be involved and seatbelts were not properly used.
The New Mexico State Police Crash Reconstruction Unit and Drone Team assisted in the investigation. This information is preliminary, and the investigation is still active and ongoing.
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.