Motorcyclist dies after hitting cow in New Mexico

Correction: An earlier version of this article stated that a woman was killed in the collision. We have since learned through Las Cruces Public Schools that it was a man. We regret the error.

A Centennial High School teacher was killed Tuesday night while riding his motorcycle with his wife on a New Mexico Highway.

JD Welch was 38.

His wife, Christina, is being treated for her injuries at University Medical Center in El Paso.

“The Centennial High community is grieving this tragic loss. JD has taught drafting for the last three years. He was also a drafting teacher at Mayfield High School for 2 years. The students and staff are being offered counseling assistance as they face this tragedy,” Las Cruces Public Schools Superintendent Stan Rounds in a statement.

JD and Christina have five school-age children.

The incident happened on Highway 185 at mile marker 22. New Mexico State Police are investigating.