A teenager died and an adult was critically injured in a wreck Monday on US 550 south of Cuba.
New Mexico State Police Officer Dusty Francisco said a commercial vehicle and a passenger car crashed a little before 8 a.m. near mile marker 61.
According to a State Police news release, initial investigation indicates that a 1998 Nissan Altima driven by Adrianna E. Cordova, 17, of Cuba, merged onto US 550 for unknown reasons. The Altima collided with the trailer of a southbound 2007 Peterbilt semi-truck.
Cordova was pronounced dead on scene. The driver of the Peterbilt sustained critical injuries and was taken to a hospital.
The highway was closed in both directions for almost 3½ hours.
State Police don’t believe alcohol was a factor in the crash, and seat belts appear to have been properly used, according to the release.
The driver of the Peterbilt isn’t facing charges.
“This crash is still under investigation by the New Mexico State Police Uniform Bureau with no additional information currently available,” the release said.
