Police say Las Cruces pickup driver wasn’t paying attention when he slammed into rear of semi, causing deadly wreck

UPDATE, May 10: Investigators on Monday blamed "driver inattention" for a deadly crash last Friday where a pickup truck slammed into the rear of a semi-truck along westbound US 70 just outside the Las Cruces city limits.

The Office of the Medical Investigator said the pickup driver, identified as 66-year-old Donald Haynie of Las Cruces, died upon impact.

Authorities said they don't believe Haynie was paying attention when drove his pickup into the back end of the semi, which was stopped for a red light at the intersection of US 70 and Picacho Hills Road.

ORIGINAL REPORT, May 7: LAS CRUCES, New Mexico -- A person was killed Friday evening in a two-vehicle crash on West Picacho at Picacho Hills Drive, which is located just outside of the Las Cruces city limits.

According to New Mexico State Police, a pickup truck slammed into the back of a semi-truck and trailer about 5:15 p.m.

No other injuries were reported and authorities had no other immediate information about the deadly collision.