One killed, several others hospitalized after multi-vehicle wreck near mile marker 13

Damien Willis, Organ Mountain News

HIDALGO COUNTY - A multi-vehicle crash along Interstate 10 on Tuesday afternoon has claimed the life of a 33-year-old man and left several others injured, according to officials. The collision occurred near mile marker 13 in Hidalgo County and was exacerbated by blowing dust — a recurring hazard in the region.

New Mexico State Police on Wednesday confirmed that Gurvinder Singh, 33, died as a result of the crash. Multiple commercial vehicles were involved in the pileup, and several people were hospitalized with varying degrees of injury.

Hidalgo County Fire Rescue District 1 initially reported that one person was airlifted in critical condition after being extricated from a commercial motor vehicle. Three additional patients were transported by ambulance, and others were treated for minor injuries at the scene.

Photos posted to social media show a red semi-truck mangled between other vehicles, its cab almost completely destroyed. Debris was scattered across the eastbound lanes of traffic.

Shortly after the incident, fire officials also closed westbound lanes of I-10 at Exit 20 due to reduced visibility from blowing dust.

The crash report identifies weather conditions as a contributing factor. The stretch of I-10 between Lordsburg and the Arizona border has become increasingly notorious for dangerous conditions during high winds. In recent years, multiple crashes in the area have been blamed on dust storms, prompting calls for stronger mitigation efforts from local, state and federal agencies.

In response to those incidents, local, state and federal agencies have come under increasing pressure to address safety conditions and consider long-term mitigation efforts in the Lordsburg Playa region.

Organ Mountain News will continue to follow developments as they become available.

Damien Willis is founder and editor of Organ Mountain News. If you have a personal story to share or a lead we should follow up on, reach out at OrganMountainNews@gmail.com or connect with him on X at @damienwillis.