New Mexico State Police investigate double fatal in Lea County

Two patients were taken to Lubbock after a crash that killed two people in Lea County.

New Mexico State Police released this statement on Wednesday:

On Tuesday, October 28, 2014 at approximately 6:37 AM; Officers from the New Mexico State Police, Roswell District, responded to the scene of a two vehicle crash on State Road 18, mile post 60 between Lovington and Hobbs, New Mexico.

As a result of this crash, two subjects lost their lives. They have been identified as Salvador Aguirre (24) of Lovington NM and Jonanthony Maldonado (30) of Los Lunas NM. The passengers in both vehicles were transported, via air ambulance, to a Lubbock, Texas hospital. One in serious condition and the other in critical.

Primarily, it appears vehicle one (driven by Mr. Aguirre) was traveling southbound on SR 18, fell asleep, and drifted into the northbound lane of traffic. Ultimately, Mr. Aguirre collided head on with vehicle two (driven by Mr. Maldonado) that was traveling northbound. Both Mr. Aguirre and Mr. Maldonado succumbed to their injuries on scene.

Alcohol does not appear to be a contributing factor of this crash.

This crash remains under investigation.