Laguna siblings killed in I-40 crash

By Jim Tiffin
Cibola County Bureau

PUEBLO OF LAGUNA — A single vehicle traffic accident, just east of mile marker 112 on Interstate Highway 40, turned fatal for two Pueblo of Laguna tribal members Saturday, tying up the eastbound lanes of the interstate for about two hours.

A teenager and a young woman died as a result of severe head injuries after being ejected from a 1998 Mazda pickup which had a tire blowout, causing the driver to overcorrect, said Sgt. Michelle Ray, acting tribal chief of police.

Daniel Francis, 15, and Natasha Francis, 22, brother and sister, died minutes apart at the scene.

Officers arrived at 1:27 p.m., five minutes following the accident, and Laguna Emergency Medical Services arrived two minutes later, Ray said.

When officers arrived Daniel Francis was already dead. When EMS arrived Lifeguard medical evacuation helicopter from Grants-Milan Airport was called, but Natasha Francis died before the helicopter could transport her, Ray said.

“The report does not say whether Daniel or Natasha were wearing seat belts, but it does say they were ejected,” Ray said.

“The accident was the result of the right rear tire blowing out; no alcohol, drugs or speed were involved,” she said.

Traffic in the eastbound lanes of Interstate 40 was stopped for the accident, with New Mexico State Police and the Department of Transportation assisting Laguna Police. Westbound traffic was not affected.

Traffic was rerouted off the interstate at exit 108, onto N.M. Highway 124 and re-entered at exit 114.

To contact reporter Jim Tiffin call (505) 285-4560 or e-mail: jtiffin.independent@yahoo.com.