El Paso family involved in deadly head-on collision, driver allegedly tried to pass traffic
An El Paso family was involved in a deadly head-on collision, New Mexico State Police said.
The wreck happened shortly after 5 p.m. Tuesday May 30, 2017 on US 54.
The preliminary investigation revealed Samantha Pacheco, 26, was driving a 2016 Ford Fusion south on US 54 and “attempting to pass traffic in the same direction when the vehicle struck an oncoming vehicle head on,” state police said.
Pacheco’s passengers were identified as Moses Perez 26; Jayden Perez, 6; and Matthew Perez, a 23-month-old toddler. Emergency crews airlifted Pacheco and the toddler to University Medical Center in El Paso.
Moses and Matthew Perez were rushed to Gerald Champion Hospital in Alamogordo, with non-life-threatening injuries.
The driver of the second vehicle, 52-year-old Larry Solley of Carrizozo, New Mexico, was also airlifted to UMC. A passenger in Solley’s vehicle, 31-year-old Joseph Merrell of Odessa, Texas, was also taken to a Gerald Champion Hospital.
A third passenger in Solley’s vehicle was pronounced deceased at the scene, police said. That person’s name is being with held until the next of kin is notified.
