The initial investigation indicated that Clarice Tsosie, 32, of Albuquerque, NM was walking across the north and southbound lanes of U.S. 550 in a dark and unlit area near milepost 134. She was struck by a northbound 2019 Jeep Cherokee, driven by a 23-year-old Odessa, TX woman, who swerved and braked to avoid the collision. Clarice Tsosie suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene.
From NM State Police
April 23, 2021
On April 22, 2021, at about 9:00 p.m. the New Mexico State Police investigated a fatal crash involving a pedestrian on U.S. Highway 550 around milepost 134, south of Bloomfield.
The initial investigation indicated that Clarice Tsosie, 32, of Albuquerque, NM was walking across the north and southbound lanes of U.S. 550 in a dark and unlit area near milepost 134. She was struck by a northbound 2019 Jeep Cherokee, driven by a 23-year-old Odessa, TX woman, who swerved and braked to avoid the collision. Clarice Tsosie suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Alcohol does not appear to be a contributing factor to the crash. This crash is under investigation by the New Mexico State Police.
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.
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