Fire captain charged with DUI in fatal crash on US 491 near Shiprock

SHIPROCK, NM – An alleged drunk driver has been arrested in connection with a fatal accident in northwestern New Mexico, according to AZ Family.

 45-year-old Casey Wade Russell, a captain with the Mesa, Arizona fire department, is facing charges of homicide by vehicle, DWI, open container, and limitations on overtaking the left. 

The crash took place Dec. 22 on U.S. Highway 491 near Shiprock. The New Mexico State Police said Russell was driving his pickup truck when he tried to pass another vehicle and collided head-on with a vehicle driven by Richard Morales, who died at the scene.

Russell, who was off-duty at the time of the wreck, was placed on administrative leave. The incident remains under investigation by the NMSP.

Wreck causes lane closure on Interstate 40 east of Grants

GRANTS, NM – Traffic was disrupted along a stretch of Interstate 40 Sunday morning due to a crash.

According to a notification on NMRoads at 6:30 a.m., the accident occurred on I-40 eastbound at mile marker 92, 7 miles east of Grants.

The eastbound right lane of the interstate was closed until the wreck could be cleared. Drivers were advised to slow down, drive with caution, and obey all posted traffic signs.

Southbound Coors Boulevard closed due to motorcycle crash

ALBUQUERQUE, NM – Deputies with the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office were called to the scene of a motorcycle accident in southwest Albuquerque on Friday evening.

The BCSO issued a traffic alert on the incident at about 6 p.m. The crash caused the closure of southbound Coors Boulevard SW near Blake Road SW. There were no immediate reports of injuries.

The area was reopened to all traffic about three hours later.

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