By Roger Lanse

A single-vehicle accident occurred on Highway 61 at Sherman, NM, on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2020, at about 5:25 a.m. when a black 1999 Ford pickup driven by Benny Dominguez of Sherman left the southbound lane of the highway, collided with a barbed-wire fence and a large tree branch, rolled three times, and ended up in the Mimbres riverbed approximately 66 feet from the highway. According to a Grant County Sheriff's Office crash report, the vehicle sustained heavy mechanical and cosmetic damage.

Dominguez told sheriff's deputies that he was coming home from Silver City and once he turned off Highway 152 onto Highway 61, he didn't remember how fast he was going or if he was wearing his seatbelt. According to the report, Dominguez did remember that he kicked his window out and was able to crawl out of his vehicle.

After he crawled out of his pickup, Dominguez, the report stated, said he walked to his grandpa's house in Sherman. He had a cut on his head, left forearm and hand, and had pain in his neck, back, and right leg. Dominguez said he probably lost consciousness. He was transported to Gila Regional Medical Center for his injuries.

Deputies determined that Dominguez was not wearing his seatbelt as it was still in the up position, the report said. The vehicle was towed at Dominguez' request.