State Police Vehicle Struck While Assisting Motorist in Las Vegas

Las Vegas, NM – On May 28, 2016, around 12:30 a.m., New Mexico State Police Patrolman Roslyn Vigil, stationed in Las Vegas, NM, was assisting a stranded motorist on Interstate 25 near milepost 350, north of Las Vegas. Officer Vigil was in the process of jump-starting a red Toyota pickup. Both vehicles were completely off the roadway on the right shoulder initially. When the elderly driver of the pickup started his vehicle, it, being a standard transmission, began to roll backwards, slightly entering the right lane of travel on Interstate 25.

Officer Vigil began directing other vehicles to get in the left lane of travel when a semi-tractor-trailer traveling in the right lane failed to change lanes and collided into the rear of the Toyota pickup. The collision caused the pickup to slam into the State Police patrol car, igniting the patrol car into flames. Officer Vigil was outside of her patrol vehicle when the impact occurred and she was able to get out of the way without getting injured. The driver of the pickup sustained minor injuries and was transported to the Alta Vista Regional Hospital for treatment. The semi driver was uninjured.

The State Police patrol vehicle was fully engulfed in flames and sustained major damage. The Toyota pickup sustained heavy rear end damage. The semi sustained minor damage.

New Mexico state law requires that all vehicles approaching an authorized emergency vehicle displaying flashing emergency lights should “drive in a lane not adjacent to where the authorized emergency vehicle is stopped, decrease the speed of the vehicle to a speed that is reasonable and prudent under the circumstances and proceed with caution; or… if it is not reasonably safe to drive in a lane not adjacent to where the authorized emergency vehicle is stopped, decrease the speed of the vehicle to a speed that is reasonable and prudent under the circumstances, proceed with caution and be prepared to stop.” (NMSA 66-7-332)

The driver of the semi, Mark Griego (54 years of age from Los Lunas, NM), was issued five citations and a post-crash inspection. Mr. Griego was issued citations for careless driving, two hours of service violations, and two equipment violations.

The New Mexico State Police wishes this incident to be used as a reminder for drivers to move over for law enforcement officers and emergency vehicles working on the roadway. Every year, numerous officers around the country are injured and killed by motorists who fail to move over and strike an officer performing duties on the side of roadways. Please remember the law to slow down and move over when approaching any emergency vehicle on the roadway.