2 El Pasoans killed in rollover near Carlsbad
New Mexico State Police have released the names of two El Pasoans killed in a one-vehicle rollover near White City, New Mexico early Monday.
The two killed were identified as Roberto Gomez and Alberto Ontiveros, both passengers in the vehicle. There were two other passengers in the vehicle and the driver.
At about 7:25 a.m. on Monday, the 2001 Chevrolet van was traveling northbound on US 62/180 near mile marker 22 when the van drifted west inside the center dirt median. The driver, believed to be Ricardo Sanchez, of El Paso, was able to steer the van back onto the roadway but then lost control, rolling the van on the roadway.
Several occupants from the vehicle were ejected when the van rolled over.
The Rev. Ed Roden Lucero of San Juan Diego Catholic Church, where both men attended, said the men would be missed.
“Robert Gomez was a supremely dedicated father and husband, he was an electrician by trade and was very generous, assisting parishioners and others who needed help,” Lucero said. “Alberto Ontiveros was a great young man who was learning the electrical trade from Roberto. He too would help anyone who needed assistance. Their deaths are a terrible loss to the community and the parish.”
