Staff Reports
A man passed away in Gallup after his motorcycle collided with an SUV on Highway 66.
Around 6:15 pm on May 18, the Gallup Police Department responded to a motor vehicle collision involving an SUV and a motorcycle on West Highway 66 near mile marker 16.
When officers arrived at the scene they found that both vehicles had suffered significant damage. The motorcycle driver, Derald “Poncho” Victor Haley, was transported to a local hospital for medical treatment. Haley, 46, later succumbed to his injuries.
Both vehicles were totaled in the crash.
The driver of the SUV reportedly told officers that he was making a left turn to go onto the on-ramp of Exit 16 to go westbound from West Highway 66 to head to the interstate. The driver said he had a clear pathway, but when he was making the turn Haley’s motorcycle crashed into his. The driver said all he remembered was his vehicle spinning.
A witness said she was driving eastbound on Highway 66 when she saw Haley “driving really fast.” She said the driver of the SUV was already crossing the roadway when Haley crashed into his vehicle.
Gallup Police Officer Christopher Dawes stated in his report that Haley caused the crash.
