New Mexico man who walked away from single-vehicle crash fatally struck by SUV

LEA COUNTY - New Mexico State Police are investigating after a pedestrian was struck and killed by a vehicle Oct. 13 near Lovington.

NMSP's initial investigation indicates that Jesus L. Montoya, 22, of Lovington, crashed and rolled his 2006 Chevrolet pickup on Gill Road, near Megert Lane. The pickup came to rest in the middle of Gill Road. Montoya got out of the truck and was walking in the bar ditch, police believe.

The investigation also indicates that a 2002 Toyota SUV driven by a 42-year-old Lovington woman was traveling north on Gill Road when the driver swerved into the bar ditch to avoid hitting the crashed pickup in the middle of the road.  Montoya was struck by the SUV, police believe.

Montoya was later pronounced dead at an area hospital. The driver of the Toyota SUV was not injured, according to police.