Woman dies in crash near Nara Visa

A woman from Minnesota died and a sheriff’s deputy escaped injury during a crash Sunday on U.S. 54 near Nara Visa that involved four vehicles and was exacerbated by icy roads.

New Mexico State Police reported that Joy Sundquist, 72, of Chisholm, Minnesota, a passenger in a Subaru driven by an unidentified male, was declared dead at the scene by the Office of Medical Examiner at mile marker 355 westbound, near the Texas border.

A Quay County sheriff’s deputy initially responded to a crash with no injuries about 8 a.m. Sunday involving a semi-tractor trailer, reported Sheriff Dennis Garcia, who added that snow and ice had fallen in the area north of Logan.

Another semi-tractor trailer going east on U.S. 54 lost control and struck the deputy’s patrol vehicle, causing the big truck to jackknife and roll onto its side into the westbound lanes, state police said.

The Subaru, driven by a 75-year-old man, also was westbound when the trailer collided with the vehicle.

The Subaru’s driver was taken to a hospital in Texas. No other injuries were reported.

Garcia said U.S. 54 was closed for about six hours as first responders administered aid and investigated the crash.

NMSP stated it was investigating.