SAN JUAN COUNTY – New Mexico State Police investigated a double motorcycle crash that resulted in the fatalities of both drivers Sept. 3. The crash occurred at around 4 pm at the intersection of Navajo Route 5 and N.M. State Road 371 (85-mile marker) in San Juan County.

According to a news release issued by NMSP Sgt. Elizabeth Armijo, the initial investigation indicated both motorcycles were riding in tandem on Navajo Route 5. Both failed to stop at the stop sign at the intersection of State Road 371 causing both to crash off the opposite side of the roadway.

Both drivers are believed to have been under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash, Armijo stated in the...

CIBOLA COUNTY – On Sept. 3 at 6:30 am, New Mexico State Police investigated a fatal crash involving an off-road vehicle.

According to a news release issued by NMSP Sgt. Elizabeth Armijo, the crash occurred near Bonita Canyon Road and N.M. State Road 53 mile-marker 70, south of Grants.

The initial investigation indicated Johnny E. Hall, 53, of Jonesboro, Louisiana, was driving an off-road vehicle on Bonita Canyon Road when the vehicle lost control and rolled. Mr. Hall was ejected from the vehicle and the vehicle rolled over him. Hall sustained fatal injuries in the crash and was pronounced deceased on scene.

This crash remains under investigation.

Two arrested on federal warrants

The McKinley County Sheriff’s Office, the Gallup Police Department, the Probation and Parole Security Threat and Intelligence Unit, and the U.S. Marshals Service conducted a warrant roundup in McKinley County Aug. 30, officials said.

A total of 31 law-enforcement personnel participated in the warrant sweep, MCSO Lt. Pat Salazar said. All arrests were for felony warrants.

“It was very successful,” Salazar said. “We got a lot of people off the street and we are thankful that the other agencies helped in this.”

The McKinley County Emergency Response Team also assisted in the roundup.

Salazar said 52 warrants were screened, and...

Act left three holes in victim’s head

A Twin Lakes man arrested by the Gallup Police Department remained jailed Sept. 7 on an aggravated battery charge. Jail records indicate that Barney’s bond was set at $15,000.

In referencing the incident, GPD Officer Douglas Hoffman wrote in a report that Donavan Barney, 21, hit a female victim in the back of the head three times with a hammer in the parking lot of Kentucky Fried Chicken off U.S. 491.

“…I asked the male [suspect] if this was his backpack and he said it was his girlfriend’s,” Hoffman recorded. “I asked if I could look inside and he said yes. I opened the backpack and located a hammer with blood on the head.”

The...