DUST HELL KILLS 6 IN NEW MEXICO 25-VEHICLE PILEUP: sudden high winds caused limited visibility from blowing dust, causing 18 commercial trucks and seven passenger cars to crash on the westbound lanes of I-10.

6 killed in 25-vehicle pileup at New Mexico-Arizona line



An image from a traffic camera released by the Arizona Department of Transportation shows a dust storm rolling in over Interstate 10, near the New Mexico border, June 19, 2017.
ADOT/Handout



Last Updated Jun 20, 2017 6:51 AM EDT


LORDSBURG, N.M. -- Authorities in New Mexico say six people are dead after a 25-vehicle pileup on I-10 was caused by sudden blowing dust in New Mexico near the Arizona state line.

Those killed Monday include Jose Manuel Clemente, 77, and Maurella Clemente Munoz, 38, of El Paso, Texas; Jose Elias Carevo-Serrano, 30, and Susana Carevo, 29, of Phoenix, along with their 9-month-old girl; and Josefina Silva, 47, of Escondido, California.

The stretch of interstate in Lordsburg, New Mexico, was closed for several hours following crash. The closure extended through Willcox, Arizona, where local authorities helped manage traffic that was diverted through a small road. The closure ended Tuesday.


State police say sudden high winds caused limited visibility from blowing dust, causing 18 commercial trucks and seven passenger cars to crash on the westbound lanes of I-10.

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.

"It's a topographical area in which the winds come through where there's nothing that can be done to prevent it," State Police spokesman Carl Christiansen said.

In February, two women were killed when their car got sandwiched between two semi-trucks in a crash caused by a dust storm.

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.

Though I-10 has reopened, the vehicle tows are slow because there aren't enough tow trucks in the area, Christiansen said.

Arizona Department of Transportation officials said traffic in both directions would need to take a 105-mile detour to avoid the significant highway closure. 

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Phoenix parents and infant killed in New Mexico crash on I-10 

Posted: Jun 20, 2017 5:37 AM EST Updated: Jun 20, 2017 12:22 PM EST
By The Associated Press





Eastbound Interstate 10 has reopened near Willcox but the westbound lanes remain closed after a crash in New Mexico, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation. (Source: CNN)

Drivers are advised to use an alternate route. (Source: ADOT)

Westbound traffic is still closed on I-10. (Source: ADOT) PHOENIX (AP) -

Authorities in New Mexico say six people are dead after a 25-vehicle pileup on I-10 caused by sudden blowing dust in New Mexico near the Arizona state line.

Those killed Monday include a 9-month-old girl and her parents from Phoenix, two people from El Paso, Texas, and a California woman.

The stretch of interstate in Lordsburg, New Mexico, was closed for several hours following crash. The closure extended through Willcox, Arizona, where local authorities helped manage traffic that was diverted through a small road. The closure ended Tuesday.

State police say sudden high winds caused limited visibility from blowing dust, causing 18 commercial trucks and seven passenger cars to crash on the westbound lanes of I-10.

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.

"It's a topographical area in which the winds come through where there's nothing that can be done to prevent it," State Police spokesman Carl Christiansen said.

In February, two women were killed when their car got sandwiched between two semi-trucks in a crash caused by a dust storm.

Christiansen said the state has posted signs that span 100 miles (160 kilometers), warning drivers about sudden winds, and, 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.

"It's never easy. It doesn't get easier each time," Christiansen said.

Though I-10 has reopened, the vehicle tows are slow because there aren't enough tow trucks in the area, Christiansen said.

The dead include Jose Manuel Clemente, 77, and Maurella Clemente Munoz, 38, of El Paso, Texas; Jose Elias Caraveo-Serrano, 30, and Susana Caraveo, 29, of Phoenix, along with their 9-month-old girl; and Josefina Silva, 47, of Escondido, California.
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High winds are blamed for the horrible accident, which involved over 20 vehicles and killed 6, including a 9-month old infant, yesterday.

According to the Silver City Daily Press:


The New Mexico State Police is currently investigating a twenty-five vehicle pile-up crash scene on Interstate 10 at mile marker 11 westbound. The chain-reaction crash is attributed to a dust storm which had high winds causing limited visibility from blowing dust. 

The initial investigation indicates that 18 commercial motor vehicles and 7 passengers vehicles were involved, resulting in multiple fatalities, and injuries. This crash is an ongoing investigation, with no further information available at this time. 

KOB.com identified the victims as Jose Manuel Clemente, 77, of El Paso, TX; Maurella Clemente Munoz, 38, of El Paso, TX; Jose Elias Caraveo-Serrano, 30, of Phoenix, AZ; Susana Carevo, 29, of Phoenix, AZ; Julissa Carevo, 9 months, of Phoenix, AZ; Josefina Silva, 47, of Escondido, CA. – KOB.com

The crash involved commercial vehicles, passenger vehicles and a motorcycle. I-10 west, near Lordsburg, remains closed at this time.

High winds are blamed for the horrible accident, which involved over 20 vehicles and killed 6, including a 9-month old infant, yesterday.
According to the Silver City Daily Press:

The New Mexico State Police is currently investigating a twenty-five vehicle pile-up crash scene on Interstate 10 at mile marker 11 westbound.  The chain-reaction crash is attributed to a dust storm which had high winds causing limited visibility from blowing dust.

The initial investigation indicates that 18 commercial motor vehicles and 7 passengers vehicles were involved, resulting in multiple fatalities, and injuries. This crash is an ongoing investigation, with no further information available at this time.

KOB.com identified the victims as Jose Manuel Clemente, 77, of El Paso, TX; Maurella Clemente Munoz, 38, of El Paso, TX; Jose Elias Caraveo-Serrano, 30, of Phoenix, AZ; Susana Carevo, 29, of Phoenix, AZ; Julissa Carevo, 9 months, of Phoenix, AZ; Josefina Silva, 47, of Escondido, CA. – KOB.com

The crash involved commercial vehicles, passenger vehicles and a motorcycle. I-10 west, near Lordsburg, remains closed at this time.

Read More: 2 El Pasoans Killed In Multiple Vehicle Crash Near Lordsburg | http://klaq.com/2-el-pasoans-killed-in-multiple-vehicle-crash-near-lordsburg/?trackback=tsmclip