2017 — June 19, Dust-storm, vehicular pile-up, westbound I-10, near Lordsburg, NM– 6

–6 AP. “6 killed in 25-vehicle pileup at New Mexico-Arizona line.” CBS News, 6-20-2017.
–6 The Republic, Phoenix. “6 dead in 25-vehicle pileup near New Mexico border.” 6-20-2017.

Narrative Information

June 20: “Six people are dead, including a Phoenix couple and their infant daughter, following a chain-reaction collision on Interstate 10 in New Mexico near the Arizona state line. Police say winds and a dust storm abruptly blew in on westbound I-10 near Lordsburg, New Mexico, around 5 p.m. Monday. The pileup included 18 commercial trucks and seven passenger cars. Authorities said five people died at the scene and a sixth died later.

“New Mexico state police identified the deceased as Jose Elias Caraveo-Serrano, 30, wife Susana Caraveo, 29, and daughter 9-month-old Julissa Caraveo, of Phoenix. Also killed were Jose Manuel Clemente, 77, and daughter Maurella Clemente Munoz, 38, of El Paso, Texas; and Josefina Silva, 47, of Escondido, California….

“Officials told the El Paso Times that, given the topographical nature of the area, dust and debris pick up swiftly when high winds pass through. That limits the visibility to zero, often with little to no warning….” (The Republic (April Morganroth), Phoenix, AZ. “6 dead in 25-vehicle pileup near New Mexico border.” 6-20-2017.)

June 20: “Lordsburg, N.M…. The interstate at Lordsburg has seen several closures this year because of blowing dust and low visibility. The dust comes from vacant desert land in the largely rural area…. In February, two women were killed when their car got sandwiched between two semi-trucks in a crash caused by a dust storm. [State police spokesman] Christiansen said the state has posted signs that span 100 miles, warning drivers about sudden winds. In the past, it has aired public service announcements. He said State Police have responded to numerous crashes in that area in the past few years….” (Associated Press. “6 killed in 25-vehicle pileup at New Mexico-Arizona line.” CBS News, 6-20-2017.)

Sources

Associated Press. “6 killed in 25-vehicle pileup at New Mexico-Arizona line.” CBS News, 6-20-2017. Accessed 8-30-2018 at: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/new-mexico-dust-storm-pile-up-i-10-near-arizona-border/

The Republic (April Morganroth), Phoenix, AZ. “6 dead in 25-vehicle pileup near New Mexico border.” 6-20-2017. Accessed 8-30-2018 at: https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona-traffic/2017/06/20/several-dead-25-vehicle-pileup-near-new-mexico-border/411528001/