2:00pm UPDATE: Although we earlier reported five possibly weather-related deaths on New Mexico's highways during Wednesday's fast-moving storm, we can confirm only four and have changed this posting to reflect what we know now.

According to a report in this morning's Rio Rancho Journal, two men died in a three-vehicle collision on U.S. 550 around 8:15 a.m. Wednesday about 10 miles outside San Ysidro. Lawrence Stutts, 51, and Emanuel P. Roth, 32, were killed when their southbound Ford Escort veered into the trailer of a diesel truck and a northbound van then broadsided the Escort, according to Sandoval County Sheriff John Paul Trujillo.

Slushy and icy road conditions may have been why the Escort veered into oncoming traffic, Trujillo said.

In one of two fatal accidents reported on Interstate 40 before the highway was closed for several hours Wednesday, Fernando M. Mejia of Norcross, Ga., was thrown from the westbound vehicle in which he was a passenger was struck at 9:27 a.m. near Santa Rosa, according to State Police spokesman Lt. Juan Martinez.

Just minutes later, at 9:30 a.m., there was a six-car crash near Clines Corners in which Scott Woodard of Canoga Park, Calif., was killed, Martinez told ABQjournal.com.

A fast-moving spring storm moved through New Mexico Wednesday leaving pretty snowfall scenes but a trail of death on the highways.

Weather is being blamed for a head-on crash on U.S. 550 between San Ysidro and Cuba around 9 a.m., in which the cars crashed into each other and a semi-truck ran over one of the vehicles when it was unable to stop.

Interstate 40 was closed for hours in both directions between Moriarty and Tucumcari because of black ice on the roadway and a rash of accidents, including a multi-vehicle crash near Clines Corners that claimed one life and another accident near Santa Rosa that also killed one.

The weather warnings and alerts posted by the National Weather Service on its Web site aren't just there for academic or aesthetic interest but include clear warnings to drivers about potential hazards.

It's wise to pay attention -- even when it's supposed to be spring.

One less drastic effect of yesterday's storm: Schools in Logan and San Jon are on a two-hour delay today as eastern New Mexico digs out, KOAT-TV is reporting.

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