Clovis man dies in crash

Freedom New Mexico

Two people died in separate crashes Friday.

In Portales, Deputy Chief Lonnie Berry said Albert Gillean, 48, of Clovis died after the motorcycle he was driving crashed into the rear of a vehicle about 6 p.m. at Lime and Austin streets.

Berry said Gillean was pronounced dead at Roosevelt General Hospital. The driver of the other vehicle wasn’t injured, he said.

New Mexico State Police confirmed one person died Friday afternoon in a two-vehicle crash between St. Vrain and Melrose on U.S. 60/84.

Capt. Jimmy Glascock said it appears an SUV eastbound on U.S. 60/84 crossed the centerline, striking a westbound semi hauling cattle head-on about 5:30 p.m. some three miles east of Melrose.

Both vehicles caught fire upon impact, he said.

Glasscock said the driver of the SUV was declared dead at the scene and investigators are still attempting to determine the identity of the victim.

The driver of semi wasn’t injured and was identified as Juan Garcia Barajas, 45, of Coalinga, Calif., he said.

No citations were issued.