There are approximately 623,955 registered vehicles in New Mexico. This does not account for the countless tourist visiting the “Land of Enchantment.” There are plenty of great reasons to travel throughout the state. It is truly beautiful and there is a lot to see. Although they do not all share the road at once, with so many vehicles in operation there are an abundance of opportunities for fatal car accidents in New Mexico.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an average of 3,700 people die every day in vehicle accidents across the United States. In 2020, there were 365 fatal car accidents in New Mexico. Learn more about how these occur and keep up with the latest news, including fatal car accidents in New Mexico yesterday and today.
Each year, 1.35 million people are killed on roadways around the world. There are countless reasons that car accidents occur, but the large majority of the time, the root cause is driver error. New Mexico tends to sit in the middle when it comes to most national driving statistics. But in 2018 New Mexico ranked fifth highest for driving fatalities.
On this page, we strive to keep the community up to date on the most recent car accidents that have occurred in New Mexico. If you’re looking for information about serious or even fatal car accidents in New Mexico from yesterday, today, or the recent past, review our detailed news recaps below.
Distracted driving ranks as one of the most common reasons fatal car accidents occur. In 2019 and 2020, New Mexico was rated highest for distracted driving as reported by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. For every 100,000 drivers, the state reported 10 distracted driving fatalities which total 38 percent of all fatal crashes in the state. Distractions include things like:
With the addition of smartphones, a fatal car accident in New Mexico today could be attributed to any number of mobile distractions.
There are some factors that will always increase the probability of accidents. Some other common causes of fatal accidents include
In some cases, road and weather conditions may also be a factor. Icy or wet roads may prevent tires from being able to grip the road. Roads that are poorly maintained and have potholes or lack traffic signs can also lead to serious vehicle accidents. When it comes to roads in New Mexico, 34% are rated as being in poor condition.
It may seem like there are new accidents every day. 2022 was a year with quite a few fatal car accidents. Here are the statistics according to the New Mexico Department of transportation:
The number of total accidents in 2022 is down by 14 from 2021.
Below, you’ll find up-to-date information on fatal car accidents in New Mexico, which can shed light on what actions to take should you find yourself in these types of situations. Please remember to drive carefully for your sake and others.
If you or a loved one suffers injury in an accident, reach out to our compassionate and knowlegedable attorneys at Flores, Tawney & Acosta. We can help you understand your options and take the burden of seeking just compensation off your plate. Contact us today to learn more.
Smith County, TX — On Tuesday afternoon a five-vehicle wreck took place. A vehicle was traveling east on SH 31 and another heading west on SH 31. At one point a vehicle was rear-ended causing it to go in the westbound lane where it struck another vehicle. Two people, Fernando Martinez, 14, and Julia Martinez, 33, were both identified dead...
Continue ReadingHouston, TX — At least eight people died and hundreds were injured Friday night during a crowd surge at the Astroworld Festival. The incident occurred at around 9 PM CT during a performance by Travis Scott at NRG Park. According to Houston Fire Chief Sam Peña, “The crowd for whatever reason began to push and surge toward the front...
Continue ReadingWichita Falls, TX — Kenneth Askew, 58, was driving at a high rate of speed going northbound attempting to pass other vehicles. The vehicle then collided with a van going southbound by a Weatherford local. Both vehicles caught on fire and burned. Both drivers died at the scene. Source: Time Record News Contact a Car Accident Lawyer If you...
Continue ReadingWichita Falls, TX, — On Highway 281 around 6:45 pm, an accident occurred. A Nissan vehicle caught on fire and the driver was pronounced dead when police arrived at the scene. Another person involved in the accident was transported to a nearby hospital. Police are still investigating the crash. Contact a Car Accident Lawyer If you or someone you love...
Continue ReadingLubbock, TX, — A driver in a Chevy Silverado was traveling at a high rate of speed around 2 am when the truck skidded off of the road. The truck then rolled over multiple times and three people were ejected out of the vehicle. A coroner pronounced the three kids dead at the scene. The fourth person was taken to...
Continue ReadingArlington, TX, — An arrest has been made near the border of Arlington and Mansfield due to a car accident that left three dead. Justin Dike, 28, and Alexius Mills, 28, were identified by Tarrant County medical examiner’s office on Monday. An official ruling is pending on their deaths. The victims were a man, a woman, and the woman’s newborn...
Continue ReadingRound Rock, TX, — On Tuesday morning around 5 am there was a wreck on I-35 near State Highway 45 and Hesters Crossing that closed the southbound lanes. An 18-wheeler was involved causing a multi-vehicle crash. The accident left one person dead. Two others were injured following the accident and their conditions are currently unknown. Source: kxan Contact a Car...
Continue ReadingUvalde, TX, — Around 2:00pm, Sunday, a Chevrolet truck turned left in front of another vehicle at the intersection of Highway 90 West and FM 2369. There were two people in the Chevrolet truck that were both killed in the accident. The others involved in the crash were taken to the hospital with injuries, which are unknown at this time....
Continue ReadingRains County, TX, — On Wednesday afternoon a vehicle went off the roadway on FM-514 approximately seven miles west of the city of Yantis in Rains County. It was indicated that the 2001 Ford Taurus was traveling west in a left-hand curve. The vehicle then went off-road where it struck a tree before overturning and catching fire. Christopher Robinson, 37,...
Continue ReadingHouston, TX, — Around 10:30 pm near Prospect Park Sports Bar and Kitchen on Friday night, the accident took place. A vehicle was spotted doing donuts in a parking lot. Houston police officers tried to stop the driver when the driver took off and lost control. The vehicle went into a ditch and crashed into three men. The men were...
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