Gallup woman killed in rollover
Passenger airlifted to Albuquerque

By Leslie Wood and Jim Tiffin
Staff Writers

GALLUP — A 25-year-old Gallup woman was killed this weekend when her vehicle rolled off a steep embankment on Interstate Highway 40.

Crystal Fierro, 25, and Toni Merayo, 24, were driving eastat 6:20 p.m. Friday, at a high rate of speed, Lt. Rick Anglada of the New Mexico State Police said.

"They were approaching cars moving slower because of a construction zone at milemarker 117, and in an effort to avoid a collision, Fierro overcorrected, skidded across the median and rolled the utility vehicle in the eastbound lane.

"The 2002 Chevrolet struck the guard rail in the eastbound lane then catapulted over the rail and rolled down a steep embankment,"Anglada said.

The vehicle continued to skid and eventually rolled over a guardrail that led to a 100 foot drop.

Fierro was dead at the scene at about 6:20 p.m. on Friday, and her passenger Toni Merayo, also of Gallup, was injured during the fall. Merayo was air evacuated to University of New Mexico Medical Center in Albuquerque, he said. The medical center would not confirm whether Merayo was treated or admitted, citing patient privacy laws.

Alcohol or drugs were not involved, and both women were wearing seat belts, Anglada said. State police, however, did determine that the accident was caused by driver inattention.


Drugs, Weapons Found in Gallup Man's Car
The local narcotics task force conducted a search of alleged drug dealer Ernest Ganter's van and found illegal drugs and weapons.

Ganter, 37, was arrested on an outstanding felony warrant involving drug charges on Thursday. He led authorities on a pursuit throughout Gallup that eventually ended with his apprehension in a field on the north side.

Lt. George Justice said agents conducted a search of Ganter's van this weekend and found cocaine, marijuana, heroine, two loaded handguns and at least one shotgun. Justice said additional criminal charges are pending against Ganter in connection with the find. The Department of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms may also become involved in the investigation, Justice said.