AGN Media | Amarillo Globe-News
The Department of Public Safety released information on a Sunday evening crash in Deaf Smith County approximately 20 miles northeast of Hereford, which resulted in one dead, one arrested and multiple people injured.
According to a news release, at about 9:55 p.m., a 2000 Honda Civic was eastbound on FM 1062, while a 2017 Dodge Ram was westbound on the roadway. The Civic drove on the wrong side of the road on struck the Ram head-on. The Civic then spun around and came to a rest in the eastbound lane and partially in the south barrow ditch. The pickup spun around and traveled into the north barrow ditch, where it rolled over and ejected one of the passengers. It came to a rest, right side up and facing southwest.
The driver of the Ram, Cesar Meza-Santellanes, 25, of Hereford, was taken to Hereford Regional Medical Center with serious injuries. He was wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash. He had been consuming alcohol, and charges are pending the outcome of the investigation, according to the release.
One of the Ram’s passengers, Eduviges Santellanes, 46, of Hereford, was taken to Hereford Regional Medical Center, where she died from the injuries sustained in the crash. She was pronounced deceased by Dr. Seals. Two other passengers were injured. Alfredo Mendoza-Santellanes, 17, of Hereford, and Javier Arturo Martinez, 50, of Hereford, were taken to Hereford Regional Medical Center, where they were treated and released. It was unclear if the passengers were wearing seat belts.
The driver of the Civic, Hector Morente De La Cruz, 25, of Hereford, was taken to Hereford Regional Medical Center, where he was treated and released. He was placed under arrest and booked into the Deaf Smith County jail on charges for intoxication manslaughter and intoxication assault.
The posted speed limit was 70 mph, and conditions were dry and clear. The crash remains under investigation by the Texas Highway Patrol Troopers.
