3 dead after fatal crash on central New Mexico freeway
The Associated Press
Created: 07/17/2016 1:16 PM
VAUGHN, N.M. (AP) - Authorities say a family from Denver, including a child, is dead after their vehicle hit a cow and then a semi-truck in central New Mexico.
State Police say the deadly crash occurred around 3 a.m. Saturday on U.S. 54 north of Vaughn.
According to investigators, a Saturn struck a cow in a southbound lane.
The impact sent the car into the northbound lane, where it collided head-on with a semi-tractor trailer.
Police say flames erupted in both vehicles.
The semi-truck driver escaped and tried to free the other driver.
Authorities say the driver and two occupants suffered fatal injuries.
They have been identified as 26-year-old Guerrero Jimenez, 75-year-old Ofahalea Sanchez and 3-year-old Angela Jimenez.
Investigators do not believe alcohol was a factor in the crash.