LEA COUNTY, N.M. – The following is a news release from New Mexico State Police:
On June 2, 2019 at about 9:08 a.m., the New Mexico State Police investigated a two-vehicle fatal crash at the intersection of the State Road 83 and Prairieview Road, east of Lovington, NM.
The initial investigation indicated a 2012 Dodge Ram, driven by a twenty-year- old male was traveling south on Prairieview Road when he approached the intersection of State Road 83. For reasons still under investigation the Dodge ran a stop sign and struck the driver’s side of a 2011 Chevy that was traveling east on State Road 83. The Chevy was driven by Dora Martinez-Ruiz (61) of Hobbs, NM. Martinez-Ruiz sustained fatal injuries and she was pronounced deceased on scene by the Office of Medical Investigator. A thirty-six-year-old female passenger in the Chevy, sustained non-life-threatening injuries and she was transported to a local hospital. The driver and a twenty-two-year-old female passenger of the Dodge were uninjured.
Alcohol does not appear to have been a factor in the crash and only the driver and passenger of the Chevy properly used their seatbelts. The crash is still under investigation and based on the outcome charges may be pending for the driver of the Dodge. His name will not be released by State Police at this time. No other additional information is currently available.
(News release from New Mexico State Police)
