MCKINLEY COUNTY — On March 31 at 2:33 pm, the New Mexico State Police investigated a two-vehicle fatal crash on Interstate 40 eastbound near milepost 3, west of Gallup.
The initial investigation indicated a 2018 Dodge Chrysler, driven by Sherl Anne Stanley, 60, of Duvall, WA was traveling east on Interstate 40. The Chrysler approached traffic which was stopped due to construction. For reasons still under investigation, the Chrysler struck the rear end of a parked tractor-trailer in the construction zone and rolled.
The passenger in the Chrysler, Crystal Helms, 42, of Duvall, WA was ejected and sustained fatal injuries. She was pronounced deceased on scene by the Office of the Medical Investigator. Stanley sustained unknown injuries and was transported to a local hospital. The driver of the semi, a 51-year-old male from Albuquerque, was uninjured.
Alcohol does not appear to have been a factor in the crash and seatbelts were used by all, except the passenger of the Chrysler. The driver of the Chrysler, Sherl Anne Stanley, was charged with careless driving and driver to be licensed. The name of the driver of the semi-truck will not be released, since no charges were filed. No additional information is available.
