On Tuesday, April 30th, around 10 am authorities responded to an SUV that crashed through the front wall of glass into a Las Cruces thrift store, called Savers. 

According to police, the driver, a 69-year-old woman, was apparently attempting to park her vehicle when she pressed the accelerator rather than the brake pedal. Her name has not yet been released. 

The SUV crashed into the store near the self-checkout area and then proceeded to drive through the store to the backside of the building, police reported. 

First responders arrived and transported 10 of the 14  injured victims to hospitals for treatment. One individual, a 67-year-old woman, was critically injured in the crash and died. Police said that two of the injured victims were store employees, and the other 12 injured victims were customers. Those injured were roughly between the ages of 30 to 90 years old. 

A Savers employee, Elijah Sanchez told Las Cruces TV station KFOX 14/CBS 4 that he heard people screaming in pain. “It was pretty chaotic. I didn’t know what to think,” Sanchez said about the aftermath of the crash, “I just knew that the best thing to do was to try and go help the people who needed help.” 

Compensation For Personal Injury And Wrongful Death

Accidents like this one can have catastrophic effects on the victims and their families. Vehicles weigh significantly more than a human body and have the ability to inflict serious injury and in some cases even death. If you have been injured in an accident or tragically lost a loved one due to another’s negligence, you may have grounds for compensation.

Common injuries in an accident like this can include:

• Broken bones
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Back injuries
• Catastrophic injuries 
• Temporary or permanent disability
• Wrongful death
• And more

Victims may be able to pursue compensation for damages including:

• Medical bills
• Ongoing medical treatment
• Lost wages
• Property damage
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional turmoil
• Funeral expenses
• And more

“Unfortunately, I’ve seen firsthand the devastating impact accidents like this can have on those involved and their families. Our hearts go out to the family who lost their loved one, and to all those facing medical treatment and recovery,” says Brian Colón, managing partner at Singleton Schreiber, “in cases like this, it is important that the victims and their families know they may have legal recourse. To learn more about the options available, it is best to contact an experienced personal injury lawyer.”

Seeking Legal Guidance

While not necessary, it may be helpful to seek out the guidance of an experienced personal injury attorney after being injured or losing a loved one in an accident like the one that occurred in Las Cruces on Tuesday. 

A skilled personal injury lawyer in Albuquerque will be able to explain the laws and help you to better understand your options so that you can make informed decisions on what to do next. 

If you have been injured in a personal injury accident or tragically lost a loved one, contact Singleton Schreiber by email at info@singletonschreiber.com for more information.

Evacuation orders were issued and a 50-mile stretch of Interstate 40 was closed Friday after a BNSF train carrying hazardous materials derailed and caught fire near the Arizona-New Mexico state line.   

According to the McKinley County Sheriff’s Office, the derailment occurred at approximately 12:41 p.m. and affected 35 railcars. Officials have stated that the train was carrying liquified petroleum gas, though other reports indicate that it may also have been carrying gasoline and non-odorous propane.  

As of Saturday afternoon, all lanes of Interstate 40 west of Gallup have been shut down, affecting traffic in both directions.  New Mexico State Police have stated that there is currently no projected end to the highway closure and is expected to remain closed indefinitely.   Additionally, evacuation orders have been issued for a two-mile radius surrounding the derailment.

During this time, it is critically important that hazards from the materials carried by the train are contained and that communication with the public is ongoing and transparent.   Derailments involving hazardous materials can have long-term implications on the health and safety of residents and visitors in the communities around them.

According to Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, the Federal Rail Administration is leading the investigation into the derailment and emergency services are on the scene to manage the situation.  

A team of investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board have been also dispatched to begin their own investigation into the incident.  

BNSF Has a History of Causing Fires

BNSF Railway operates one of the largest freight railroad networks in the United States.  Unfortunately, this incident is another in a long history of BNSF causing fires, derailments, and other incidents due to negligence. 

According to Singleton Schreiber attorney Brian Colón, railroad companies like BNSF must be held accountable for prioritizing speed over safety.  “We’ve seen BNSF trains and railways cause devastation across the Western United States.  If negligence is found to be the cause, it is essential to hold the railroad company accountable for the derailment. This includes examining their safety protocols and maintenance records. At Singleton Schreiber, we have years of litigation experience and will be following this situation closely.”

“In fact,” Colón said, “we are currently in litigation against BNSF Railway. We filed suit in January as we believe they are responsible for causing the Tunnel 5 Fire last July.”

The National Transportation Safety Board seems to agree, finding that BNSF equipment was to blame for the Tunnel 5 fire in Washington.   The NTSB report indicated that carbon emissions and brake debris from a BNSF locomotive engine were the cause of that blaze that burned over 500 acres and displaced approximately 1,000 people.  

While this situation is evolving quickly, there is a critical need for a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the derailment in order to understand what went wrong and implement measures to prevent future incidents.  Attorney Brian Colón added, “This incident underscores the need for enhanced safety measures and stricter regulations for transporting hazardous materials to ensure such accidents are minimized in the future.”

Help for Those Affected

It is important for those in the affected areas to follow evacuation orders and safety instructions.  Since communication is crucial at this time, a hotline has been set up at 866-243-4784 for those impacted by the derailment.

However, in the days and weeks following this disaster, those who have been impacted may have questions and not know where to turn for answers.   

“These situations can be extremely difficult and, often, there is not a clear roadmap for where people can turn for answers,” Colón said.  “A law firm with experience handling these types of cases can be a vital source of information.”

If you or someone you know has been affected by the BNSF derailment, contact the fire litigation attorneys at Singleton Schreiber by calling 505-605-2076 or by emailing info@singletonschreiber.com.