Dona Ana, NM - On November 15, 2018 at about 11:00 p.m., the New Mexico State Police investigated a three vehicle fatal crash near mile post 156 on Interstate 10 by Vado, New Mexico.
The initial investigation indicated a 2005 Dodge pickup, driven by Ruben Rojas (63) of Mesquite, NM was traveling eastbound on Interstate 10. For unknown reasons, Rojas drove onto the shoulder and crashed into the rear end of a parked 2017 Ford, pushing it into an unoccupied 2006 Nissan which was also parked on the shoulder. The vehicles were on the shoulder parked waiting for a Tow Truck.
Michelle Cuaron (57) of El Paso, Texas who was in the Ford was transported to Hospitals of Providence Transmountain Campus in El Paso, Texas where she was pronounced deceased by doctors. Other occupants in the Ford were transported to the University Medical Center in El Paso, Texas with unknown injuries.
Alcohol does appear to be a contributing factor to the crash and seatbelts do not appear to have been properly utilized. The crash is still under investigation and no additional information is available at this time. Rojas was arrested and booked into the Dona Ana County Detention Center.
Ruben Rojas was charged with the following:
- Three counts of Aggravated Driving While Under the Influence of intoxicating Liquor or Drugs resulting in Great Bodily Injury or death
- Open Containers
- Careless Driving
