DUI driver blamed for deadly Anthony Gap wreck charged with Vehicular Homicide

New Mexico State Police identified the driver killed in a fiery head-on collision as 22-year-old Andres Rayos of El Paso.

State Police said the driver blamed for the deadly wreck on the Anthony Gap, 23-year-old Jeramy Lucera of Las Cruces, was driving under the influence.

Lucero was arrested for “Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicating Liquor and or Drug, and Reckless Driving,” investigators said. A District Attorney confirmed that Lucera has been charged with Vehicular Homicide and Driving with an Expired License.

The wreck happened on February 8, 2018 at around 1:05 pm on NM Hwy 404 near mile post 8, approximately 2 miles west of Chapparal, New Mexico.

The initial investigation indicates Lucero, the driver of a 2007 Dodge station wagon, was traveling west on NM 404 when the driver attempted to pass another vehicle traveling in the same direction.

As the driver of the Dodge passed the other vehicle, the driver of the Dodge crashed into an oncoming 2004 Honda driven by Rayos. Police said the wreck caused the Honda to sideswipe a third vehicle, roll over and catch fire.

The driver of the Honda sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene. Due to the extreme heat of the fire, police have not been able to identify the driver of the Honda.

The driver and passenger of the third vehicle were transported to Memorial Medical Center in Las Cruces, NM with non-life threatening injuries.

The crash remains under investigation.