GALLUP, N.M. - A catastrophic multi-vehicle collision involving a commercial tractor-trailer left four people dead, including three members of a Hawaii family, along Interstate 40 near Gallup on Sunday afternoon
According to the New Mexico State Police, the crash occurred near mile marker 39 when a westbound commercial truck crossed the highway's center median and traveled directly into oncoming eastbound traffic.
The wrong-way semi struck an oncoming passenger car before colliding with a second commercial vehicle. The impact caused the at-fault truck to burst into flames.
Victims Identified in Head On Collision
Emergency personnel arriving at the scene confirmed four fatalities. The occupants of the passenger car—identified as 68-year-old Wayne Viveiros, 51-year-old Luana Viveiros, and 22-year-old Lilinoe Viveiros, all of Hawaii died from injuries sustained in the impact.
The driver of the wrong-way commercial truck was also pronounced dead at the scene. State police officials confirmed that the driver caused the collision, though their identity is currently being withheld pending positive identification and family notification.
The driver of the second commercial vehicle involved in the pileup suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to a local medical center for treatment.
Ongoing Investigation
The violent collision forced state police to close sections of Interstate 40 for several hours while crash reconstruction units, hazardous material teams, and recovery crews managed the wreckage and cleared the scene.
Investigators from the New Mexico State Police are leading the investigation to determine what caused the commercial vehicle to leave the westbound lanes and cross the median into oncoming traffic. Authorities are reviewing potential contributing factors, including driver impairment, sudden medical emergency, fatigue, or mechanical failure.
