NMSP NEWS

On December 14, 2020, at around 4:30 p.m., New Mexico State Police officers responded to a request for assistance from the Santa Clara Tribal Police Department for a single-vehicle fatal rollover. The crash was located on New Mexico state-owned land in Santa Clara Canyon on U.S. Forest Service Road 445, which is about 12 miles west of New Mexico State Road 30. 

The initial investigation indicates that a 2000 Chevy driven by David Lyon, 53, of Espanola was traveling on Forest Road 445 when for unknown reasons it left the roadway and rolled down an embankment. Mr. Lyon was ejected from the vehicle and suffered fatal injuries.   He was pronounced deceased on scene by the Office of the Medical Investigator.

Weather is believed to be a contributing factor in this crash and alcohol does not appear to be involved.  Seatbelts do not appear to have been properly used at the time of the crash.  This crash is under investigation by the New Mexico State Police.