Victims Identified In Fatal Crash Near Hatch
HATCH, N.M. – A two-vehicle accident onon State Road 26, approximately 13 miles west of Hatch, claimed the lives of twopeople on Friday, New Mexico State Police confirmed.
A Ford pickup hauling an RVwith Arizona plates collided head-on with a Dodge pickup round 9 a.m, investigators said.Maria Soto, 23,was driving the Dodge that crossed the center dividing line and crashed into the Ford driven by a 62-year old Roger Chips of Arizona,authorities said.
19-year old Julia Soto, cousin to Maria,was a passenger in the Dodge with her infant son, 1-year old Ebert.Julia and her son died on the scene.Mariaand her 3-year old daughter, Korina, were flown via medical helicopter to Thomason Hospital in El Paso.
Chips walked away from the accident and his wife drove him to a Deming hospital for examination and treatment.
Investigators believe the Soto family was headed back from an early morning shopping event and may have been distracted by something. Investigators confirmed that alcohol was not a factor, but charges may be filed.
