Eddy County–On Sunday, April 21, 2013, at approximately 1:36 a.m., State Police responded to US 285 mile post 69 to investigate a single vehicle roll over.
Upon arrival, officers observed a Dodge pickup truck with extensive damage. The driver and single occupant was identified as Marisela Araujo (20) of Artesia, NM. Araujo was pronounced deceased on scene by the Office of the Medical Investigator.
Based on State Police investigation, it appears Araujo’s vehicle was traveling southbound on US 285 in the Artesia city limits. As Araujo was traveling, it appears she overcorrected and lost control of her vehicle causing it to roll several times. Araujo, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was ejected from the vehicle. Alcohol is also believed to be a contributing factor to this crash.
