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.
