New Mexico Man Killed in Fatal Crash, Alcohol a Factor

Sunday morning (Jan. 21), a fatal crash in Lea County resulted in the death of a Hobbs man.

New Mexico State Police say a Chevy pickup was driving down 17th Street in Lovington, failed to take a turn onto Avenue R, drove off the right shoulder and rolled. The driver of the pickup, 44 year-old Juan Pinto, was thrown from the vehicle and sustained fatal injuries. Pinto died on the way to a hospital.

The passenger was also thrown from the vehicle but suffered non-life threatening injuries.

Both Pinto and the passenger were not wearing seat-belts at the time of the crash.

Police believe alcohol is a factor in the crash.