Deming, NM - Around 5:30 this morning, New Mexico State Police was notified of a two-vehicle crash on State Road 26 at mile marker 16, northeast of Deming, NM.

The initial investigation revealed a passenger car traveling westbound on State Road 26 entered the eastbound lane of travel and collided head-on into a second passenger car traveling eastbound. The driver and sole occupant of the second vehicle was air lifted to University Medical Center in El Paso, TX for medical treatment and is listed in critical condition.

The driver and front passenger of the first vehicle sustained fatal injuries in the crash and were pronounced deceased at the scene. The deceased are identified as Lourdes Vacio (33 years of age) of Hatch, NM and Janelly Lizette Vacio (12 years of age) of Hatch, NM. A third male passenger in the vehicle was transported by EMS to Mimbres Memorial Medical Center in Deming, NM and was later flown in critical condition to University Medical Center in El Paso, TX.

Alcohol is not believed to have been a factor in this crash. All occupants are believed to have been wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash. This crash remains under investigation.