Young woman killed in crash; possibly speeding and driving drunk, police say

Las Cruces Police said the 19-year-old woman killed in single-vehicle crash on University Avenue early Saturday morning was possibly speeding and driving under the influence of alcohol.

Paramedics rushed Sierra Knox to Mountainview Regional Medical Center, where she was declared dead.

Police were dispatched to the crash at about 1:40 a.m. Saturday, December 9, 2017 to the 2000 block of Desert Willow Court, near University Avenue.

Police said Knox, driving a Ford F-150 pickup, crashed through a rock wall and came to a rest in the backyard of a residence. The homeowner called 911 to summon police. Las Cruces firefighters had to extricate Knox, reportedly unresponsive, from the vehicle.

The preliminary investigation indicates Knox was traveling west along University Avenue when she failed to negotiate a turn and crashed through the rock wall near the intersection of University and Desert Sand Street, police said.

Police said it appears Knox was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash. “Speed and alcohol are possible contributing factors to the crash,” police said in a news release.

Police continue to investigate the deadly wreck.