At least 1 dead as crashes close I-10 near Deming for hours

DEMING, New Mexico -- At least one person was killed in several crashes along Interstate 10 near Deming on Friday afternoon that resulted in a highway closure and major traffic backup for hours.

The New Mexico Department of Transportation shut down I-10 westbound between mileposts 49 and 55 due to the crashes, with traffic backed up for roughly ten miles at times.

State police advised both westbound lanes had reopened after 10 p.m. Friday night.

Photos posted on social media by the Hidalgo County Herald indicated the fatality crash happened near the Hachita exit and involved a semi-truck and another vehicle; wreckage could be seen scattered along the highway as firefighters examined the scene.

NMDOT indicated the initial crash was followed by a couple of chain-reaction crashes.

No further details were immediately available.