PD: Trucker fell asleep and rolled tractor trailer; driver killed after crashing into semi
A truck driver fell asleep at the wheel and rolled the tractor trailer he was driving, leading to a collision that killed the driver of a passenger car, New Mexico State Police tell ABC-7.
The wreck happened at about 4 a.m. Friday, August 10, 2018 on Highway 70 at mile marker 188 in between Las Cruces and Alamogordo. Investigators at the scene closed the highway for nearly two hours Friday morning.
State Police said an initial investigation indicated a 2015 Freightliner semi-truck was traveling east on US highway 70 when it overturned. The cab of the truck came to rest in the median with the trailer portion blocking both east bound lanes of US 70.
At that time, the driver of a 2004 Chevrolet passenger car also traveling east collided with the rear axles of the trailer.
The driver of the Chevrolet, identified as 64-year-old Steven Downham of Las Cruces, sustained fatal injuries, and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police said the 27-year-old male driver of the semi-truck sustained injuries not believed to be life threatening. The truck driver has not been identified by police.
Investigators said alcohol does not appear to be a contributing factor to the crash and seatbelts were properly utilized by the drivers involved. The crash is still under investigation.
