An Artesia man was arrested last week on charges of vehicular homicide in connection with the May death of a 39-year-old woman.
The Eddy County Sheriff’s Office (ECSO) reported that George Robert Cosper, 55, was taken into custody Thursday, Nov. 30, on charges of homicide by vehicle and great bodily injury by vehicle, the culmination of an investigation that began following a fatal wreck near the intersection of U.S. 82 and Sandweed Road.
On May 5, ECSO deputies responded to the two-vehicle incident on U.S. 82, mile marker 97, in which a white Dodge pickup, driven by Cosper, had collided with a black Ford pickup driven by Ryan Craddock. As a result of the wreck, Craddock’s wife, Melissa Dawn (Johnson) Craddock, was ejected from the Ford.
Deputies on scene and EMS personnel with Eddy County Fire and Rescue, the Artesia Fire Department and Trans Aero MedEvac administered medical aid, but Melissa Craddock’s injuries proved fatal. Ryan Craddock sustained severe injuries and was airlifted to an area hospital.
Following a comprehensive investigation, the ECSO Traffic Unit and detectives concluded Cosper was driving recklessly when he struck the rear of Craddock’s pickup. The impact caused Craddock’s truck to leave the roadway and roll, ultimately resulting in Melissa Craddock’s death.
Cosper made his first appearance Friday before Judge Jimmy C. Foster in Artesia Magistrate Court and was released on his own recognizance. He is scheduled for preliminary examination at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024.
Anyone with potential information regarding this incident is urged to contact the ECSO Detective Division at 575-887-7551.
Trial date set for Artesia man charged with vehicular homicide
ARTESIA — A trial date has been set in district court for an Artesia man charged with vehicular homicide in connection with the death of a 39-year-old Artesia woman.
George Robert Cosper, 55, is scheduled to appear for pretrial conference at 1:30 p.m. April 1 before Judge Lisa B. Riley in Fifth Judicial District Court in Carlsbad. A jury trial is slated for 9 a.m. May 2.
Cosper was arrested Nov. 30 by Eddy County Sheriff’s Office (ECSO) deputies on charges of homicide by vehicle and great bodily injury by vehicle following a lengthy investigation into a May 5 collision that left Melissa Craddock of Artesia dead.
On that day, the ECSO responded to a two-vehicle wreck near the intersection of U.S. 82 and Sand Weed Road. It was determined that a white Dodge pickup, driven by Cosper, had collided with a black Ford pickup driven by Ryan Craddock. As a result of the collision, Craddock’s wife was ejected from the Ford.
Deputies on scene and EMS personnel with Eddy County Fire and Rescue, the Artesia Fire Department and Trans Aero MedEvac administered medical aid, but Melissa Craddock succumbed to her injuries. Ryan Craddock sustained severe injuries and was airlifted to an area hospital.
Following a comprehensive investigation, the ECSO Traffic Unit and detectives concluded Cosper was driving recklessly when he rear-ended the Craddocks’ pickup. The impact caused the Ford to leave the roadway and roll, ultimately resulting in Melissa Craddock’s death.
PRETRIAL: 1:30 p.m. April 1
TRIAL: 9 a.m. May 2
Lisa B. Riley
– homicide by vehicle
– great bodily injury by vehicle