By Roger Lanse

The New Mexico State Police continue to investigate a motorcycle crash that happened Sunday night on Pine Street and Highway 549 in Deming.

Traveling east on Pine Street toward Highway 549, the driver, Richard A. Cowles, 51, of Deming, failed to negotiate a curve and struck a curb in the median causing the motorcycle to crash. The driver was ejected and sustained fatal injuries. He was transported by EMS to Mimbres Memorial Hospital where he was later pronounced deceased.

An official source told the Beat Cowles was employed by Luna County as a deputy sheriff.

Unofficial sources told the Beat that Cowles suffered severe head trauma and was not wearing a helmet.