2 Gallup men die when car hits pole

By Leslie Wood
Staff writer

GALLUP — The holiday weekend turned deadly for two men whose vehicle slammed into a telephone pole just east of the intersection of Aztec Avenue and Valley View Road.

The victims were identified as 31-year-old Dewayne Lee of Gallup and 17-year-old Travis Coultson also of Gallup.

Sgt. Erin Toadlena-Pablo, a spokeswoman for the Gallup Police Department, said four individuals were traveling at a high rate of speed at about 8:30 p.m. on Sunday when their passenger vehicle crashed into the pole.

Lee and the Coultson were pronounced dead at the scene by a local medical investigator. The two other occupants, including the driver, were transported to a local hospital where they are described as in stable condition.

Toadlena-Pablo said the victims were seated in the front passenger and rear passenger seats at the time of impact. They will be transported to Albuquerque for an autopsy.

The cause of the fatal crash is still under investigation because authorities do suspect alcohol contributed to the impact.

“It appears alcohol was involved ; however, we’re awaiting toxicology results to make a final determination,” Toadlena-Pablo said.

It has not been determined whether officials will file criminal charges in connection with the crash, she said.