A late-night single-vehicle crash near the New Mexico State University campus turned a quiet solar farm into a chaotic emergency scene on March 14, leaving three people injured after a car tore through a fence and into a field of panels, university police said. Two of the victims were impaled by the same object and were airlifted to University Medical Center of El Paso for treatment, according to police. Investigators say a driver has been identified and a draft arrest warrant listing charges that include great bodily harm by vehicle and reckless driving is pending as the case moves forward.
What happened at the scene
As reported by KVIA, the crash happened around 2 a.m. when a vehicle heading south on Triviz Drive failed to stop at the intersection with Cholla Road, then barreled through a solar farm fence and into the rows of panels. Police reports say two of the three people injured were impaled by the same object and were flown to UMC El Paso for treatment while investigators stayed on scene into the morning documenting the wreckage.
Investigation and local context
The university has asked anyone who saw anything or has related information to contact NMSU Police at (575) 646-3311, according to NMSU. The Triviz and Cholla corridor has seen serious crashes before. The NMSU newsroom reported a fatal pedestrian collision at that same intersection in late November 2025, a grim reminder of recurring safety concerns along that stretch of road near campus.
Police actions so far
NMSU Police Chief Justin Dunivan said investigators were able to obtain the vehicle’s operational data and confirm the driver’s identity after serving several search warrants, according to KVIA. The station reports that a draft arrest warrant is in the works that would include counts such as great bodily harm by vehicle and reckless driving. As of the latest update, officials said no formal filing had been announced.
Next steps
Investigators say the probe remains active and that more details will be released once charges are finalized and filed in court. In the meantime, anyone with tips can contact NMSU Police at (575) 646-3311 or email [email protected], per NMSU.
