Alamogordo Police ID 3 Holloman Air Force Base men killed in Tuesday rollover
Jan. 22, 2014 Update: The Alamogordo Police Department has released the identities of the three Holloman Air Force Base men killed in a rollover on Tuesday.
They have been identified as 26-year-old Ryan Nicholas Loehr, 21-year-old Deshon Maurice Wartley, and 19-year-old Lamont Keith Cullars.
Police told ABC-7 Monday the accident happened sometime between midnight and 1 a.m. Tuesday but it was not discovered until later in the morning because of how far the vehicle was away from the road.
At about 7:30 a.m. on Jan. 21, Alamogordo Police officers were sent to the 3500 block of Airport Road in reference to a motor vehicle accident where they found a 2006 Honda Civic in the desert area off of Airport Road.
Police found two dead men inside the vehicle, both wearing seatbelts. A third man was ejected from the vehicle and found in the desert area.
Police say the preliminary investigation shows the vehicle was traveling south on Airport Road at a high rate of speed and the driver failed to negotiate a curved portion of the road.
The vehicle then rolled over several times coming to a rest in the desert area.
Alamogordo Police say they cannot rule out alcohol as a factor in the accident and a toxicology report from the Office of the Medical Investigator is pending.
Jan. 21, 2014 Story: The Holloman Air Force Base command says three people assigned there were killed in an off-post auto accident.
The crash happened on Airport Road in Alamogordo between midnight and 1 a.m. Tuesday but wasn’t discovered until later Tuesday morning.
Alamogordo Police Det. Sgt. Roger Schoolcraft says speed appears to be a contributing factor as the driver was unable to make a turn and the vehicle went airborne.
One person was ejected from the vehicle and the two others were found inside the vehicle.
The Alamogordo Police Department is investigating the accident and the names of the deceased will be released 24 hours after next of kin have been notified.
It was not clear whether the dead were active duty members or support personnel.
“It is with deep sadness that we must announce the death of three Team Holloman members,” said Col. James Thompson, 49th Wing vice commander. “Please keep their families and all Holloman personnel in your thoughts and prayers as we mourn their tragic deaths.”
Holloman Airmen in need of support or assistance can contact a chaplain at 575-572-7211 or the Traumatic Stress Response Team at 575-572-5676 during normal duty hours. After hours, either agency can be reached 24/7 at 575-572-7575.
