Taos County, NM - On May 25, 2019 at approximately 6:06 p.m., the New Mexico State Police investigated a head on motorcycle crash on NM Highway 38 around milepost 5 near Red River, New Mexico.

The initial investigation shows a 2016 Harley Davidson motorcycle driven by Lorenzo Cortez (58) of Rancho’s De Taos was travelling west on NM Highway 38 near milepost 5. Three Harley Davidson’s were traveling east on NM Highway 38. For reasons that are unknown, Cortez crossed the center line into eastbound traffic and collided head on with a 2017 Harley Davidson. Cortez and his passenger, Jennifer Lynn Ashley (43) of Colorado Springs, CO sustained fatal injuries in the crash and was pronounced deceased on scene by the Office of the Medical Investigator. Two other motorcycles were involved in the crash.

Alcohol does not appear to be a factor. Four people were airlifted to UNM Hospital and are in critical condition. A fifth person involved in the crash was treated and released at an area hospital. The drivers and passengers’ names of the motorcycles traveling east on NM Highway 38 involved in the crash will not be released by State Police. The crash remains under investigation and no further information is currently available.