Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities

No charges likely in child death

MELROSE — No criminal charges are expected to be filed in connection with a May 23 incident at the Melrose dump station in which an 11-year-old boy died.

“It was a tragic, tragic accident, but there was nothing criminal,” said Assistant District Attorney Brian Stover on Friday. “The sheriff’s office did a great job investigating, and that makes a difference, and there clearly was nothing criminal.”

Officials said Camden Stevens, 11, attempted to jump from a trailer, but lost his footing and fell under the trailer tires. He was transported by ambulance to Plains Regional Medical Center, then flown to a hospital in Lubbock. He died about 1:30 a.m. on May 24.

The investigation determined Tyler Turner, 31, of Melrose was at the dump station in a 2019 Ford pickup and towing a trailer. Two 11-year-old boys were riding on the trailer, preparing to dump trash and debris.

“As the vehicle was moving very slowly, one of the boys stepped off the trailer,” a Curry County Sheriff’s Department release stated. “The other boy (Camden), attempted to jump from the trailer but lost his footing and fell. The trailer tires struck Camden, causing critical life-threatening injuries.”

 
 
Rendered 02/24/2024 22:04