Milan man dies in I-40 head-on

Copyright © 2008
Gallup Independent
By Helen Davis
Cibola County Bureau

GRANTS — A Milan man was pronounced dead at the scene of a high-speed collision early Wednesday morning, according to New Mexico State Police.

Sgt. Richard Doty of the District 6 NMSP substation said Rene Chavez, 24, lost control of his 2007 Mitsubishi while heading west on U.S. Interstate Highway 40 near exit 81 in Grants. Chavez’s vehicle struck a vehicle driven by Leo Bahe, 79, of Chinle, Ariz., that was attempting to merge onto the interstate after a stop at McDonald’s Restaurant in Grants.

Chavez’s out-of-control vehicle then crossed the median divider and struck the rear axle of one of two trailers on a Yellow Freight tractor-trailer, knocking the axle out of alignment. The Mitsubishi spun around in the eastbound lanes and struck a front axle on the truck’s other trailer. The cab was undamaged.

William B. Persons, 33, of Kansas City, Mo., swerved his truck when he saw Chavez’s car cross the median. Doty said all Yellow Freight tractors have a governing device installed, and Bova was prevented from speeding up to avoid a collision.

“If he hadn’t swerved, we probably would have had a head-on,” Doty said.

Chavez, who lived on Berryhill Street in Milan, was pronounced dead of multiple injuries at the scene and his body was taken to Albuquerque, Doty said. NMSP have not received information on a specific cause of death, but Chavez’s injuries included serious head injuries and internal injuries.

Dahe and his wife, Ella, also of Chinle, were taken to Cibola General Hospital. Dahe received a broken arm from the accident and his wife suffered burns from hot coffee spilled during the collision.

Persons reported no injuries, Doty said. Co-driver Stephen Bova, 57, of Olathe, Kan., who was a passenger at the time, reported a stiff neck.

Doty said the known causes of the incident were excessive speed and alcohol. Further investigation into background causes are being handled by the Department of Public Safety’s Special Investigations Division, who handle alcohol, gaming and vice, Doty said.

NMSP will continue to study the sequence of events at the site of the collision.

A rosary will be held for Chavez on Sunday at Compassion Mortuary, according to friends of the family. The funeral is scheduled for Monday at St. Vivian Catholic Church in Milan, the friends said.