Freeze, fatal crash close I-40 at Tucumcari
February 11th, 2012 at 11:30 am by Ian Schwartz under News, Weather
New Mexico State Police have closed Interstate 40 on the west side of Tucumcari due to icy conditions.
The New Mexico Department of Transportation reports it has crews salting and sanding the pavement.
The closure began about 10 a.m.
Shortly after 11 a.m. the National Weather Service described conditions at Tucumcari as a combination of fog and mist with a temperature of 19 degrees Fahrenheit (-7 Celsius).
Update 1 p.m.: The NMDOT website reports I-40 remains closed.
Update 2 p.m.: I-40 remains closed and a crash on the icy interstate this morning killed one person.
Update 3 p.m.: State Police report the fatal crash involved an eastbound truck that lost control on the ice and slid into the westbound lanes hitting a tractor-trailer rig. The semi then hit a third vehicle pinning it against the median barrier and bursting into flames.
The woman driving the eastbound truck was alone in her vehicle and died from her injuries. Occupants of the semi and the third vehicle escaped the fire.
No names have been released, and there is as yet no report on any injuries suffered by the survivors.
Update 3:30 p.m.: NMDOT reports I-40 is open again.
Update 5:30 p.m.: The woman killed in the crash was an animal-rescue volunteer helping to relay a puppy cross-country to its new owner. The puppy also died. More from KRQE News 13 >>
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The woman who died was NOT alone. She had with her a little rescue puppy named “Elyse”. She was a kind, loving, amazing volunteer who was helping transport little Elyse to a new home in NY state. On behalf of the huge group of us who take part in these transports all the time, I extend sincere sympathies to her entire family. God bless and Godspeed, CB and Elyse!