By Roger Lanse

A family on their way to church in Silver City in a hard rain on Sunday, Sept. 15, were the first to come upon the scene of an accident at 5:30 p.m. on Highway 90 – MM 26 (between Cullum and Whitewater roads). Involved were an approximate 2012 Ford pickup and a New Mexico State Police Ford Explorer. The family called 911 at 5:31 p.m. The driver of the pickup, according to the family, suffered an unknown injury to his leg, but was outside of his vehicle. The officer was in the driver’s seat of his vehicle, the family said, and was complaining of pain, chest hurting, and trouble breathing. The officer’s seatbelt had to be cut to remove him from his vehicle, the family said.

The family told the Beat the officer advised he lost control on a curve. They said it appeared the Explorer, headed south, crossed into the northbound lane and struck the pickup, but not directly head-on. While the pickup had moderate damage, the family said the Explorer had it’s front clip, engine, fenders, grille, and bumpers strewn about the scene leaving its firewall completely visible.

While the family rendered aid, they stated they saw first a U.S. Border Patrol vehicle arrive, then two Grant County Sheriff’s Office vehicles rolled up, a Tyrone Volunteer Fire and Rescue vehicle, and an ambulance. According to the family it was the Border Patrol officer who cut the NMSP officer’ seat belt about 20 minutes before the ambulance arrived.

The family, who lives south of White Signal, were forced to go the long way home, down Highway 180, through Deming and Lordsburg and up 90 to their home. They were told the accident was still under investigation and cleanup was underway at the scene. They arrived home about 11 p.m.