Mexican Springs man crushed
52-year-old allegedly crawled underneath semi-tractor trailer

A McKinley County firefighter looks at the scene where a pedestrian was struck and killed Wednesday by a semi-truck in front of the truck stops along Historic Route 66 on the west side of Gallup. (Photo by Jeff Jones/Independent)

By Leslie Wood
Staff Writer

GALLUP — A 52-year-old Mexican Springs man's decision to crawl underneath a semi-tractor trailer cost him his life on Wednesday morning.

Willie Yazzie Jr. and four companions intended to cross Highway 66, but instead of remaining with the group, Yazzie strayed from the crowd and crawled underneath a semi-truck that was waiting to merge into oncoming traffic on Interstate 40's Exit 16.

Detective Erin Pablo, spokeswoman for the Gallup Police Department, said the four individuals walked around the semi-truck to safely cross the roadway, but that Yazzie was struck by the truck as its driver merged into a westbound lane of Highway 66.

The truck was reportedly at a stand-still when Yazzie began to crawl underneath the vehicle; however, the truck moved forward killing Yazzie, much to the shock of witnesses driving behind the semi. Pablo said nearby drivers tried to alert the driver of the semi-truck that he'd struck a man.

The semi-truck reportedly rolled forward several feet until the driver learned of the situation. New Mexico State Police and Gallup Police diverted traffic from the immediate scene of the accident at about 11:30 a.m., while officials investigated the accident.

Pablo said it is too soon to speculate whether Yazzie intended to commit suicide by crawling underneath the truck and whether alcohol contributed to the incident.

"We're not ready to make that determination," she said.

The semi-truck driver's name was not available as of press time.