Eddy County, NM - On December 4, 2018 at around 1:30 p.m. the New Mexico State Police investigated a fatal rollover on Howard Road near Gonzalez Road southeast of Carlsbad, that claimed the life of Sierra Corrales (14) of Carlsbad.

The initial investigation indicates a 2003 Tahoe, driven by a fourteen-year-old Carlsbad female was travelling south on Howard Road at a high rate of speed. For reasons that are still under investigation, the Tahoe left the roadway and then rolled. Sierra Corrales, who was a passenger in the vehicle, was ejected and sustained fatal injuries. She was pronounced deceased by the Office of the Medical Investigator at an area hospital.

There were eight total occupants in the Tahoe ranging in ages from seventeen to fourteen. Four of the occupants were uninjured, three were transported to area hospitals with varying degrees of injuries not believed to be life threatening, and Sierra Corrales sustained fatal injuries.  

Alcohol is not believed to be a factor and it appears seatbelts were not in use. This crash is still in preliminary stages of investigation. The vehicle belonged to the fourteen-year-old driver’s mother and charges are pending the outcome of the investigation. The remaining victims’ identities will not be released by State Police and the identities of anyone facing charges will not be released until charges are officially filed. The New Mexico State Police Crash Reconstruction Unit has been called in to assist in the investigation. No additional information is currently available.