Las Cruces, NM - On February 2, 2019 around 7:00 p.m., New Mexico State Police Officers were investigating a crash involving a Jeep and Semi-Tractor Trailer on U.S. 70 and Wisner. Officers were diverting traffic onto the frontage road from U.S. 70.
During the course of the investigation, Susan Ware (70) of Cloudcroft who was traveling west on U.S. 70, failed to see the crash ahead and attempted to pass the stopped traffic. In doing so she collided with a stopped State Police patrol unit. State Police officer Jesus Rodriguez was inside the patrol unit and State Police officer Manuel Veloz was standing outside the patrol unit directing traffic.
The impact pushed Officer Rodriguez's patrol unit into Officer Veloz knocking him to the ground. Both State Police officers were transported to an area hospital where they were thankfully treated and released with cuts and bruises. Ms. Ware was also treated and released. Alcohol was not a factor in the crash and there was no evidence Ms. Ware was impaired or on her phone. Ms. Ware was cited for Careless driving. New Mexico State Police Crash Reconstruction Unit continues its investigation.
The New Mexico State Police would like to thank the public and media for the outpouring of support we received for our officers during this potentially very tragic time. We want to remind the public to slow down and move over for any and all stopped police, fire, emergency, towing, civilian and service vehicles working on our roadways.
