BCSO deputy dies in crash during traffic stop on Interstate 40

TIJERAS, NM – A Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office deputy was killed in the line of duty in a crash east of Albuquerque on Monday evening, according to KOAT.

The fatal accident took place on Interstate 40 west near mile marker 170 at Carnuel. The sheriff’s office said that Sergeant Michael Schlattman was conducting a traffic stop on the interstate at about 5 p.m. and radioed that he had exited his patrol unit.

While he was outside his vehicle, a semi-truck crashed into the back of the vehicle. Sgt. Schlattman was pinned underneath and was pronounced dead at the scene.

I-40 was shut down in both directions while the accident was being cleared and investigated.

Sgt. Schlattman served with the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office since 2012 and was promoted to sergeant in 2024.

“This is every agency’s worst nightmare, and tonight it is ours,” said Sheriff John Allen. “Sergeant Schlattman was a servant leader and a protector in the truest sense. He was the kind of supervisor who never asked a deputy to do something he would not do himself. Our hearts are broken, and we are asking our community to carry this family, and this agency, in your prayers.”

Driver cited after multi-vehicle accident in construction zone on U.S. 380

CHAVES COUNTY, NM – Authorities responded to a multi-vehicle crash on U.S. 380 east in Chaves County last week.

According to a social media post from the Chaves County Sheriff’s Office, three vehicles were involved in the Feb. 17 wreck inside a construction zone.

The sheriff’s office stated that a Chevrolet pick-up truck and a Honda were stopped in traffic, waiting for a Department of Transportation pilot vehicle to escort them through the construction zone. The driver of a Chevrolet Camaro failed to stop, hitting the Honda from behind. The impact caused a chain reaction crash, sending the Honda crashing into the Chevrolet truck. No injuries were reported.

The driver of the Camaro was cited for careless driving, no insurance, and driving without a valid driver’s license.

Crash causes road closures in area of SW Albuquerque

ALBUQUERQUE, NM – A crash caused road closures in a section of southwest Albuquerque on Saturday afternoon.

A traffic alert from the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office at 12:15 p.m. stated that deputies were on the scene of the wreck at Coors Boulevard SW and Dennis Chavez Boulevard SW. All northbound lanes of Coors Boulevard and eastbound lanes of Dennis Chavez Boulevard were closed during the accident response.

Drivers were advised to expect delays through the area.

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