More than one month after a fatal accident killed a Farmington 18-year-old, his passenger was transferred to Carrie Tingley Hospital in Albuquerque to begin the lengthy rehabilitation process. On August 3rd, Andrew Pope was reportedly driving northbound on Butler Avenue when he allegedly attempted to turn onto Piñon Hills Boulevard in front of an oncoming vehicle. Tragically, the Aztec High School football star died at the scene of the crash. Following the collision, emergency responders transported Pope’s only passenger, 18-year-old Sheena Lemons, to the University of New Mexico Hospital in Albuquerque via helicopter. Lemons reportedly suffered several broken bones and a traumatic head injury that left her in a coma for weeks. She also lost the ability to move the right side of her body.
According to Lemons’ mother, Jackie Rightmire, the teenager recently began speaking again and has regained some mobility since the crash. Despite that physicians do not yet know what the long-term effects of the crash will be, Lemons is reportedly making progress each day. Although the recent Farmington High School graduate is anxious to return home and get on with her life, it is still unclear how long she will remain in rehabilitation. At this time, her plans to attend San Juan College are currently on hold.
The exact cause of the crash is still under investigation, but Farmington Police Sgt. Dave Monfils stated there have been 10 accidents at the deadly intersection since May 2011. According to Monfils, most of the accidents were caused by inattentive drivers who simply failed to yield. Joe Delmagori, a Farmington Metropolitan Planning Organization planner, said visibility at the intersection is adequate and officials currently have no plans to make any changes to the intersection.
It is an unfortunate fact that people are regularly killed in preventable automobile collisions on New Mexico roadways. You run the risk of being hurt by an inattentive, impaired, or careless driver nearly every time you leave your home. Sometimes, motor vehicle crashes are only minor, but too often they are catastrophic or fatal. If you were hurt by a negligent driver, you may be eligible to receive damages for medical expenses, physical therapy, disability, pain and suffering, lost wages, and other harm. The family members of those killed in an automobile accident may also be able to recover funeral expenses. If you were hurt or lost a loved one in a car collision that was caused by someone else, you should contact a capable New Mexico personal injury lawyer as soon as possible.
If you or a loved one were injured in a motor vehicle crash, call the Fine Law Firm at (505) 889-3463. Our skilled Farmington car accident lawyers have more than 100 years of combined experience helping victims of unexpected collisions throughout New Mexico, and their families, receive the compensation that their injuries merit. For a free case evaluation with an experienced attorney, contact the Fine Law Firm through our website today.
More Blog Posts:
Testimony Begins in Medical Malpractice Case Against Santa Fe Hospital, New Mexico Personal Injury Lawyer Blog, September 6, 2012
NHTSA Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over Campaign Continues Through Labor Day in New Mexico, Nationwide, New Mexico Personal Injury Lawyer Blog, August 26, 2012
Additional Resources:
Woman making amazing recovery after car accident, by Ryan Boetel, Farmington Daily Times
Another crash at deadly Farmington intersection, by Ryan Boetel, Farmington Daily Times
Football star’s death shocks Aztec community, by Liz Lastra, kob.com