NMDOT employee killed in Curry County vehicle crash

CURRY COUNTY, NM – A 58-year-old New Mexico Department of Transportation employee died Thursday morning after he was struck by a vehicle while working on an unrelated wreck, according to New Mexico State Police officials.

Gerald R. Woodard was providing traffic control on State Road 209 near milepost 6 north of Clovis for an unrelated crash being investigated by the Curry County Sheriff’s Department involving a semi-tractor-trailer and a passenger vehicle, according to a New Mexico State Police news release.

Crash investigators believe that a 69-year-old driver of a 2014 Dodge Ram failed to follow the traffic pattern and collided with a 2020 NMDOT Ford pickup. Woodard, who was in the bed area of the truck at the time of the crash, died at the scene.

“The New Mexico State Police is saddened by the loss of Gerald Woodard, who was a dedicated member of the NMDOT family. NMDOT works closely with the New Mexico State Police and plays a critical role in ensuring the safety of our roads and highways,” said New Mexico State Police Chief Tim Johnson in a statement. “The loss of Gerald is a tragic reminder of the dangers that our transportation workers face every day, and our hearts go out to his family. We remind drivers to always be aware of their surroundings, obey traffic laws, and never drive distracted or while under the influence of drugs or alcohol."

The driver of the Dodge suffered critical injuries and was airlifted to a Lubbock hospital. His current condition is not known.

Investigators do not believe alcohol was a factor in the crash, and seat belts were not properly used, the release states.

The crash remains under investigation by the New Mexico State Police.

This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: NMDOT employee killed in crash in Curry County