Las Animas Residents Injured in Hwy 50, Two Car Crash

The Colorado State Patrol, The Otero County Sheriff’s Office and the La Junta Emergency Medical Services responded to a two car crash at the intersection of Otero County Road 18 and U.S. Highway 50 on May 24, 2018 at approximately 7:40PM.

A 2008 Mercedes-Benz ML350 SUV being driven by 24 year old Haoru Wang of Columbia, Missouri pulled out from Otero County Road 18 onto U.S. Highway 50 in front of a 2006 Toyota Highlander SUV being driven by 37 year old Melissa Turner of Las Animas, Colorado.

Both Drivers and all passengers were taken to Arkansas Valley Regional Medical Center. A minor sitting directly behind Ms. Turner was flown to Memorial Hospital for serious bodily injury. Two additional minors in the vehicle sustained minor injuries.

Ms. Wang sustained serious bodily injury, and her passenger identified as Chen Runzheng of Huanggu District, China sustained minor injuries.

Alcohol and drugs are not considered to be a contributing factor in the crash, and all drivers and passengers were properly restrained at the time of the crash.

The Colorado State Patrol would like to remind drivers to be cautious as they approach any intersection and always buckle up.