Semi's crash into East Mountains shop kills brothers

Blacksmiths and owners of a popular restaurant in Cedar Crest, brothers Brad Gunter, and Chad Gunter were killed Thursday after a semitrailer rammed into their shop in Moriarty.

Torrance County Sheriff David Frazee said one of the brothers died at the scene while the other passed away at a local hospital, though he did not say who died where.

Frazee said the driver of the semi, who has not been identified, was treated for a possible concussion and shoulder injury. No charges had been filed as of Monday afternoon. The investigation is ongoing.

“We’re still trying to piece it together,” Frazee said.

Tanya Pearcy was sitting inside her B&R Construction Co. office near the shop off New Mexico Highway 333 by Martin Road, about a quarter-mile south of Interstate 40, when she heard a loud sound.

“I heard a noise, but I really didn’t think anything of it,” she said. “I thought it was normal construction noise.”

Then, Pearcy said, a man ran into the office and asked what happened at the blacksmith shop next door. She got out and saw a large cloud of dirt before walking around and seeing a semitrailer sitting inside the building.

“The front was so mangled, I didn’t know it was a truck until a little later when police started coming,” she said.

Pearcy tried calling and texting Brad and Chad to see if they were OK, but no one answered.

East Mountains’ ‘Cheers’Ribs BBQ in Cedar Crest is the go-to spot to enjoy some ribs and grab a Coke while catching up with friends and neighbors after a busy week at work or school.

“It’s the place where you’re going to see people you know and love and just want to hang out (with),” said family friend Cynthia Franco, adding that it is like the East Mountains version of “Cheers.”

If they weren’t helping out their employees with the dishes and other tasks, the Gunter brothers would greet travelers, friends, relatives and tired athletes following that big East Mountain High School soccer match. Many of the customers were people they knew.

“The East Mountain community is a very tight(-knit) community, and the Gunters have been loved by everybody out here,” Franco said.

The community will be without one of its watering holes for a little while. Ribs BBQ is closed for the foreseeable future.

“Everyone there is pretty devastated and heartbroken and trying to put one foot in front of the other right now,” Franco said.

Putting one foot in front of the otherOn Monday afternoon, Pearcy attempted to fight back the tears during a phone interview as she reflected on her friends’ lives.

Brad was as an “adorable, super friendly” guy who had “what I like to call a Captain America smile,” she said.

“He always seemed eager to please, eager to help in any way he could.”

Chad Gunter was a man who loved his family, and, she said, was “fierce in his beliefs.”

“He was All-American,” Pearcy said.

The deaths of Brad and Chad were felt in the blacksmith community, as well.

Wholesale Timber & Viga owner Jeff Gonzales studied blacksmithing under the Gunters.

“They were probably among the best in the country as far as talent (goes),” he said. “They passed on their craft to many, many people. Many, many generations of blacksmiths will benefit from their contribution.”

Franco set up an online donation site benefitting the Gunter family and Ribs BBQ staff. The goal is to raise $100,000. As of 7 p.m. Monday, people donated $41,500.

The website, givesendgo.com/Gunter_RibsBBQ, will be up as long as they need it, she said.

Brad and Chad Gunter are survived by their parents Robb and Bunty Gunter. Chad is also survived by his wife Veronica and their two sons.

CORRECTION: This story has been corrected to show that the crash happened on Thursday.