Semitrailer driver ticketed in Thursday's accident

ALAMOGORDO – A commercial tractor-trailer driver was ticketed for careless driving and for not wearing his seatbelt after he crashed his tractor-trailer while hauling cattle on U.S. Highway 54/70 north of town early Thursday morning, according to a New Mexico State Police press release.

According to the release, NMSP officers responded to a single tractor-trailer accident around 5 a.m. on Highway 54/70 near mile marker 73.

State Police learned through investigation the tractor-trailer driver took his eyes off the road to throw something away, according to the release.

While taking his eyes off the road to throw something away, the vehicle went off the roadway.

According to the release, the driver over corrected the vehicle then lost control of the tractor-trailer.

The tractor-trailer laid over on its right side then slid for a short distance and collided with the highway guardrail near mile marker 73.

The driver of the semitrailer was not injured in the accident.

According to the release, several of the cattle were able to get loose from the trailer onto the roadway and shoulder of the highway.

The north and south bound lanes of the highway were closed for safety reasons due the loose cattle wondering the highway area, according to the release.

According to the release, local ranchers assisted in capturing the loose cattle.

Several of the injured cattle were euthanized at the scene of the accident, according to the release.