Crash kills motorcyclist in Las Cruces

A motorcyclist died in a two-vehicle crash Friday in Las Cruces, police said.

The crash happened at the intersection of Engler Road and Jornada Road.

Las Cruces police said New Mexico State Police tried to stop the motorcyclist on N.M. Highway 70 about 6 p.m. west of Alamogordo. Troopers said they lost sight of the motorcycle as it went toward Las Cruces.

Las Cruces police said a Doña Ana County Sheriff’s deputy spotted the motorcyclist traveling at more than 100 miles per hours on Highway 70 near Organ. The deputy, police said, also lost sight of the motorcycle as it entered Las Cruces.

Las Cruces police responded to a two vehicle crash at 6 22 p.m. Investigators believe the same motorcyclist was speeding and ran stop sign before crashing into the front of an SUV.

The motorcyclist, who was wearing a helmet and believed to be in his 20s, was pronounced dead at the scene. The 60-year-old driver of the Explorer and his 12-year-old passenger, a girl, were not injured.

Traffic investigators closed the intersection of Engler Road and Jornada. Engler Road, from Jornada to McGuffey Street, is also closed.

The identity of the motorcyclist will not be released until next of kin have been notified.