Accident kills San Rafael man

GRANTS - A four-vehicle accident early Saturday killed one person and seriously injured another, according to Grants Police Department Sgt. Corey Allen.

Gil Riggs, 71, of San Rafael, the passenger in a Chevy truck that was struck three times, was pronounced dead at the scene. Cole Howell of Knoxville, Tenn., driver of the truck, was airlifted to Albuquerque. Four others - including three drivers and one passenger - were also injured during the accident.

Allen said he arrived at the scene at approximately 10:30 a.m. and roads were closed until 2:30 p.m.

“According to reports,” Allen said, “the Chevy truck was going to make a left turn [in a non-turning lane] on the road headed westbound in front of Corley Ford. It appears the Chevy truck was struck three times, twice in westbound traffic and the final time in the eastbound lane toward Grants.”

Traffic in the area of the accident was heavy, according to Allen, and could have contributed to the possibility of the accident. The speed limit on Santa Fe Avenue between Corley Ford and Indian Trails Trading Post is 45 miles per hour. On Saturday mornings, because of the growing flea market that causes a congested traffic area, visibility is challenging, especially for a 45 mile an hour rate of speed.

In order to minimize congestion the state Highway Department posted signs in the front of Freeman Lusk's property (see photo on page 3) , site of the flea market, enforcing no parking zones for safety reasons. As the photo shows, some flea market goers have paid no attention to the signs and the issue is ongoing with the property owner, the state Highway Department and public safety officials. The signs are posted in the state right of way area. Vehicles should be parked on the south side of the no parking signs, according to officials. The picture shows vehicles parked on the north side of the signs.

Public Information Officer Delane Barros said that the Highway Department has done what is necessary to this point to minimize Friday and Saturday morning traffic congestion by posting the signs. As to whose jurisdiction it is in regard to enforcing the law, “I don't know whether it is city or state,” she said.

“Our deepest sympathy goes out to the family of the deceased person,” Barros said. “We will review the police investigation and do whatever is necessary from there.”

Ramona Dubois, manager of the trading post, said the signs are posted, however, the public safety officials have not enforced them. “We don't have the time to go running outside and stop everyone from parking there,” Dubois said. “We have Grants Police, sheriffs and state police officers, they could enforce the law. We try to control the traffic but could only do so much as a business. Citations need to start being issued.”