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Statue-student rapport
Cassandra McRoberts finds a cozy spot to get some writing done on the University of New Mexico campus, while she appears to get a tip of the hat from the statue at right. (Roberto E. Rosales/Albuquerque Journal)
Choking driver causes fire
DEMING – Police say a man who choked on his food while driving caused a chain reaction that led to a fireball exploding over a Walmart in southwestern New Mexico.
The Deming Headlight reports that Robert Sheppard, 61, told police he was eating as he drove Saturday in front of the Walmart Superstore in Deming and that he began to choke, causing him to lose control of his pickup truck.
The pickup, traveling at a “high rate of speed,” struck a propane tank attached to a grill, according to police.
Witnesses reported seeing a massive fireball that extended over the roof of the store.
Police say three people were injured in the crash.
Charges likely in crash case
CARLSBAD – New Mexico police investigating a fatal traffic crash found that somebody stole wheels, tires and the battery from a wrecked SUV as it lay on top of the victim.
Carlsbad police say Steven Roy Reese, 26, of Carlsbad was killed either Tuesday night or Wednesday morning when he apparently lost control of his 1996 Ford Explorer on a little-used dirt road. The medical investigator determined Reese was dead for at least eight hours before police found him.
Police Lt. Jennifer Moyers says removal of the items was both illegal and extremely insensitive. She says possible charges include theft and failure to give notice of an accident.
Last weekend, a family involved in a wreck on Interstate 40 wreck near Albuquerque lost possessions worth thousands of dollars after they say authorities failed to secure the crash site.
Honoring Vietnam Vets
The Thoreau Chapter of the Navajo Nation will honor Vietnam veterans with a ceremony, memorial walk and bicycle trek next week. Gov. Susana Martinez has declared Friday as New Mexico Vietnam Veterans Day.
Ceremonies begin at 10 a.m. Monday at the Smith Lake Chapter Veterans Hall with the posting of colors by the Fort Wingate High School JROTC honor guard and guest speakers.
A 117-mile walk from the Thoreau Chapter House begins Tuesday and concludes Saturday at the Upper Fruitland Chapter House, making stops at Navajo communities along N.M. 371. The bike ride begins at 9 a.m. Tuesday at the Baca-Prewitt Chapter House and concludes at noon Saturday at the Upper Fruitland Chapter House.
For more information, contact Julie Dawes at 505-862-2172.
Police union accuses mayor
CARLSBAD – A police union has alleged that Carlsbad Mayor Dale Janway “abused his authority” by ordering police officers to fix traffic tickets and issue citations.
The Carlsbad Current-Argus reported that the Carlsbad Police Officers Association recently submitted documents to the state Attorney General’s Office that alleges Janway ordered changes to citations from an illegally parked car to a dog without tags.
Detective Sgt. Allen Sanchez, president of the association, says union members want to put a stop to the mayor’s behavior.
Janway said in a written statement he wouldn’t comment on the allegations until he’s contacted by the AG’s Office.
The office confirmed officials are looking into the allegations. A spokesman said the office is expected to make a decision soon on how officials will proceed.
— This article appeared on page C2 of the Albuquerque Journal
