Grants teenager killed in crash

Copyright © 2009
Gallup Independent
By Helen Davis
Cibola County Bureau

GRANTS — A Grants High School senior lost control of his vehicle and sustained fatal injuries early Sunday morning.

Grants resident Matthew Diaz, 18, was pronounced dead at the scene of the rollover accident near mile marker 1 on N.M. Highway 412 after midnight May 10, New Mexico State Police Lt. Eric Garcia said Monday. The road is in a remote area north of Interstate Highway 40 between Churchrock and Pinedale.

Diaz, who expected to graduate with his class on May 22, was driving a Jeep Cherokee at south high speed into a curve, Garcia said.

The youth was driving too fast for the curve, causing the Jeep to go out of control and roll three times, NMSP determined after investigating the incident.

Officers were notified of the accident just after 4 a.m. No information is available about what time the accident occurred or how the accident was spotted and called in.

NMSP spokesman Peter Olson said he did not know if any passengers were in the vehicle.

State police investigators determined that alcohol was involved in the fatal accident. Diaz was not wearing a seat belt, Garcia said.

Alton Autrey, principal of Grants High School, said everyone at the school is saddened by news of the student’s death.

“He was about to graduate,” he noted.

When reached for comment, Autrey said he was making arrangements to visit the family and to provide a remembrance from the GHS community.