Arizona woman killed in I-10 crash near Mesquite, NM identified
UPDATE 12/22/14 NOON: The Arizona woman killed in a weekend wreck that shut down I-10 for about 24 hours has been identified.
New Mexico State Police have identified her as 43-year-old Mary Ortega of Maricopa, Arizona.
The multi-vehicle crash happened at around 6 p.m. Saturday on I-10 East near Mesquite, just South of Las Cruces.
Seven vehicles and 15 people were involved in the crash with four injured and one killed.
New Mexico State Police say it started when a semi-truck rear-ended a small car, causing a chain reaction that led to a semi-truck rolling over.
The crash happened near a stretch of highway that’s been under construction for several months.
UPDATE 12/21/14 9:20 A.M.: New Mexico State Police have confirmed that a total of 15 people were involved in the crash. One died at the scene, four were injured, the other ten were not injured. NMSP says the ages of those involved are not known but span from young adult to elderly.
I-10 east is closed. Police say the highway will stay closed until they finish their investigation.
UPDATE 12/20/14 8:15 P.M.: New Mexico State Police confirm the deceased is an adult female from Maricopa County, Ariz. Lieutenant James Fritz said seven vehicles were involved: five passenger, two commercial. The semi-truck that rolled into a median was carrying cucumbers.
I-10 East is closed between mile marker 148-151. Police do not expect it to reopen until Sunday at 9 A.M.
12/20/14 6:30 P.M.: A person is dead in a rollover on I-10E and Mesquite just south of Las Cruces.
Traffic heading east and west is backed up for miles. Drivers are being detoured at Avenida de Mesilla in Las Cruces. They will be granted access to frontage roads for those traveling south.
A Dona Ana County Sheriff’s spokesperson told ABC-7 around 6 p.m. a semi-truck rolled, involving several other vehicles. One vehicle was leaking gas.
A call was made for a emergency helicopter and one person is confirmed dead at the scene.
DASO, Las Cruces Police and New Mexico State Police are all currently investigating the crash.
