Eddy County- On December 12, 2019 at about 11:34 p.m., the New Mexico State Police investigated a single vehicle fatal crash US285 near milepost 58, south of Artesia, NM. 

The initial investigation indicated a 1997 Mercury SUV was traveling north on US Highway 285 when the vehicle sustained a tire blowout. The driver left the roadway, lost control of the vehicle and rolled.  The driver, Edward Rene Ornelas (55) of Artesia, NM was ejected from the vehicle and sustained fatal injuries in the crash. Ornelas was pronounced deceased on scene by the Office of the Medical Investigator.

Alcohol was not a factor in the crash and seatbelts appear to have not been properly used. No additional information is available.