Police release details in fatal crash

Details have been released about the vehicle wreck in Lea County in which Melinda Kay Shaw, 58, of Melrose died.

New Mexico State Police Public Information Officer Wilson Silver reports NMSP officers were called at around 6:44 p.m. Jan. 28 to go to the intersection of U.S. Route 82 and Prairieview Road northeast of Lovington.

According to Silver’s report, the initial investigation of the three-vehicle wreck indicated that a 2016 Ford truck driven by a 46-year-old female was traveling north on Prairieview Road. The Ford truck stopped at the intersection of Prairieview Road and US 82.

For reasons still under investigation the Ford attempted to cross US 82 and was struck by a 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe that was driving southwest on US 82. A 2018 Ford Escape that was traveling southwest on US 82 behind the Tahoe then also collided with the Ford truck.

In the report, Silver wrote Shaw was a passenger in the Ford truck and suffered fatal injuries in the crash. She was pronounced deceased on scene by an employee of the Office of the Medical Investigator.

The Ford’s driver and 10-year-old female second passenger in the Ford truck were injured and airlifted to a hospital in Lubbock.

Silver reports their conditions are unknown.

Silver also reported the 41-year-old male driver of the Chevy Tahoe, the 38-year-old female driver of the Escape, and the 12-year-old male passenger in the Escape were all transported to an area hospital for injuries and then later transported to a hospital in Lubbock.

Silver said their condition is unknown also.

The investigation revealed everyone involved in the crash appear to have been properly wearing a seatbelt.

Silver reported alcohol does not appear to be a factor in the crash which continues to be investigated by the New Mexico State Police.