Serving the High Plains
Serving the High Plains
A local motorcycle rider died Saturday after crashing into a semi-tractor trailer on U.S. 54 near Nara Visa.
About 8 p.m., New Mexico State Police officers were sent to U.S. 54 milepost 351 east of Nara Visa to investigate a crash between a motorcycle and a semi-tractor trailer.
The initial investigation indicated John Alfonso Tafoya, 45, of Nara Visa was riding a small 212cc motorcycle going west in the right lane of westbound U.S. 54.
For unknown reasons, Tafoya veered into the side of a Kenworth semi-tractor trailer also traveling west in the left lane of westbound U.S. 54.
Tafoya was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash, and he sustained fatal injuries. He was pronounced dead at the scene by the Office of the Medical Investigator.
Alcohol does not appear to have been a factor in this crash, which is being investigated by the New Mexico State Police.