Wrong-Way New Mexico Driver Hits Medical Transport Unit
One of the passengers from the civilian vehicle died, and the firefighter driving the medical transport unit was airlifted to University of New Mexico Hospital.
SANTA FE, N.M. --
The northbound lanes of Interstate 25 were closed from Cerillos Road to St. Francis for several hours on Monday after a fatal head-on crash.
A wrong-way car was headed southbound in the northbound lanes when it collided head-on with a medical transport unit around 2:30 a.m. Tuesday. I-25 was closed until 1:30 p.m.
Investigators said speed played a role in the crash, as the wrong-way car was traveling more than 100 mph. Because of the force of the crash, investigators said two passengers were ejected from the vehicle that was headed southbound.
One of the passengers died, while the other was transported to the hospital. Investigators are still trying to determine which one of the two was driving the car.
The ambulance driver was identified as emergency medic Vanessa Carrillo. She was airlifted to University of New Mexico Hospital shortly after the crash.
Her coworker Jennifer Guhl said her friend suffered bone fractures from head to toe and has been surrounded by family and fellow emergency workers since she was rushed to the hospital.
"They put titanium rods in both of her legs, and now she is beginning a slow process of recovery," Guhl said.
Guhl said Carrillo is a dedicated service worker.
"She's a Santa Fe volunteer firefighter. She is with the La Cienega Fire department. She works with Rocky Mountain EMS," Guhl said. "She's a very determined person. I think she will pull through just fine."
The Santa Fe County Fire Department is putting together a fund at First Community Bank to help Carrillo with her recovery.
Investigators are unsure if alcohol factored into this crash.
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