Tragic freeway death yields another victim

Joe Kolb
Staff Writer

GALLUP — On the way home from Albuquerque, a week ago, Jonas Herrera, 19, of Gallup, drove along Interstate 40 like he had dozens of times.

Near Mile Marker 118 near Laguna, the drive took an unexpected and tragic twist.

"I had gone to Albuquerque for my Army physical and to be sworn in," said Herrera. It was about 12:30 a.m. and very windy on the freeway, said Herrera, which caused him to keep his speed at about 60 mph. Then Herrera's life changed forever.

According to Lt. Tom Dobson, subdivision commander of the New Mexico State Police Barracks in Grants, Lester Robinson, 19, of Ohio, positioned his naked body in the middle of the freeway. As a semi-tractor trailer approached him he attempted to jump into the swerving truck's path. The female driver missed him. As Herrera approached, Robinson made an attempt to jump in front of the oncoming jeep. At the last split second, Herrera knew he wouldn't be able to avoid hitting Robinson. With a loud thud, it was all over for Robinson who made contact with Herrera's vehicle and was pronounced dead at the scene.

"It took me about 30 yards to come to a stop," said Herrera, who stayed in his vehicle briefly, attempting to sort out what had just happened and regain his composure.

"I heard him crying for about two minutes then it stopped," said Herrera.

Dobson said officials are awaiting results from the Office of the Medical Investigator in Albuquerque to determine what may have precipitated this tragic incident.

Meanwhile Herrera, the innocent driver, has been thrust into a life where he will recount the "whys" and "what ifs" for the rest of his life.

"I was hoping it was a deer," said Herrera, who didn't have time to react to the dark silhouette thrust before him. "At the last minute, I saw his face it was a straight expression, he looked right at me."

"I know I wasn't responsible for this," said Herrera. "I wouldn't wish this on anyone as long as I live I'll have that face on my mind."

Incidents like this where despondent or people on drugs and alcohol wander on the freeway to end their lives are uncommon. According to a New Mexico State Police source there is an average of two pedestrian deaths per year on the interstate and that's usually because the person is walking or hitchhiking on the shoulder in dark clothes. Whatever the cause or motivation, the unsuspecting drivers who accidently hit these pedestrians can also be victims.

"We've all been down," Herrera said. "I don't have a clue as to why he did this he must have been on something."

Despite stating that he initially wasn't overwhelmed by the event, Herrera did say it took about a week for the incident to sink in. "I was sitting at a red light at the Miyamura bridge when a guy came next my car," said Herrera who became anxious.

"It was like a flashback," he said.

Although saddened by what may have driven someone his own age to die in such a fashion, Herrera said he is also frustrated and angered by what he is now faced with.

Herrera said that after the accident his Jeep sustained extensive front-end damage which caused the doors to become jammed. He had to crawl out of the back of the vehicle since the doors and the hood became compressed. He then had to get the Jeep towed to Grants where he had to pay $170.

"It's also the aggravation of all of the paperwork with the insurance company," Herrera said.

Dobson said that Herrera was not cited and is not being investigated in connection with the incident.

For Lester Robinson, his life is over. Jonas Herrera has to live with the memory of the tragic night. Although he feels as if he doesn't need counseling, Herrera has spoken about the incident with his family and girlfriend.

"I'm over it — I think."

|Top | Current Daily News

Contact the Gallup Independent

Please send the Gallup Independent feedback on this website and the paper in general.

E-mail: gallpind@cia-g.com

By mail: The Independent PO Box 1210 Gallup, NM 87305 500 N. 9th Gallup, NM 87301