A 26-year-old Albuquerque woman was killed in a multi-vehicle crash just before 5:00 p.m. Friday near the Big I interchain, shutting down the eastbound lanes of Interstate 40 for over three hours.
New Mexico State Police say the woman was traveling east on I-40 in a Honda Civic and approaching the interchange with Interstate 25 North when the crash occurred. Traffic in the area was backed up and moving slowly. However, the woman failed to slow down, colliding into the rear of a 2019 GMC SUV and causing a chain reaction involving three additional vehicles.
Police said the woman did not appear to be wearing a seat belt and suffered fatal injuries. She was pronounced dead at an area hospital. No other injuries were reported. An investigation into the crash is ongoing.
Rear-end collisions are the most common type of car crash and are usually caused by driver distraction, speeding, or drunk driving. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that more than 1 million rear-end collisions occur each year, resulting in seven percent of all traffic-related fatalities.
Rear-end collisions typically occur when one vehicle slams into the rear of another or when a vehicle in front suddenly stops or reverses. In many cases, the impact forces the front vehicle to slam into the back of another, setting off a chain reaction. Injuries are often severe, particularly to occupants of vehicles “sandwiched” between others who sustain multiple impacts from all sides.
If you have been injured in a crash, call Buchanan Law Firm, LLC at 505-900-3559 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation. Located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, we serve clients in Santa Fe and the surrounding areas.