Man killed in explosion a former NMSU football player

The man killed in an industrial accident over the weekend was a former New Mexico State University football player, ABC-7’s New Mexico Mobile Newsroom has learned.

Monday, detectives with the Doña Ana County Sheriff’s Department said the explosion that killed 30-year-old Joe Suder was an accident. It happened shortly after Noon Saturday on the 6300 block of Weisner Road, north of Highway 70.

Suder’s Facebook page states he worked for Overkill Racing and Chassis as a marketer and fabricator. ABC-7 reached out to the shop’s owner for comment. The owner said no one was willing to speak on “this terrible tragedy” at this point.

Police said the shop owner called 911 after an employee was injured while trying to inflate an oversized tire. The shop owner told investigators Suder had been working on fabricated rims, each of which weighed approximately 400 pounds. Suder was reportedly using ether to mount a tire onto the rim when the explosion happened.

Former NMSU Head Football Coach Hal Mumme recruited Suder in 2007. The 6-6 330 pound offensive lineman, of Santa Rosa, California, transferred to NMSU from Arizona Western, where he was named to the 2007 NJCAA all-region first team.

Suder won back-to-back state championships while at Bishop Monague Catholic High School in Reno, Nevada.

Suder was pronounced dead at the scene, sheriff’s office officials said. His body was taken to Albuquerque for autopsy at the request of the Office of the Medical Examiner.

“The Aggie family would like to send our deepest condolences on the loss of former football student-athlete Joe Suder,” NM State Director of Athletics Mario Moccia said. “Joe continued to stay involved with the Aggie football program after graduation and could be seen on the sidelines at our home games. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his friends and family.”