Portales woman hospitalized after crashing into MVD building

Police say an 88-year-old Portales woman was taken to Roosevelt General Hospital for observation Monday after her runaway car crashed into the state Motor Vehicle Division building and continued across several lanes of traffic.

Around 10 a.m., Minnie Fulton, 88, left the New Mexico Motor Vehicle Department on Avenue O, and her 2003 Ford Taurus possibly malfunctioned, Deputy Chief of Police Lonnie Berry said.

“It could be a malfunction with the vehicle, or it could be something that she caused, but it is not known at this time,” Berry said.

Fulton’s car brushed the motor vehicle building, Berry said.

“It was really minor damage to the building and her vehicle,” Berry said.

Berry said Fulton, still accelerating, went through the parking lot between the Bird’s Nest Sandwich Shop and Classic American Economy Inn and crossed one lane of U.S. 70, striking the median.

Her vehicle became airborne when crossing the other lane of U.S. 70 and hit the curb, stopping between U.S. 70 and the railroad track, said Berry.