New Mexico man charged with DWI after 3-car crash injures 11

TULAROSA, N.M. – New Mexico State Police said a 24-year-old man faces DWI-related charges after a three-vehicle crash hurt 11 people.

New Mexico State Police said officers responded at about 4:04 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6 to U.S. 70 and Old Mescalero Road for a crash involving a black Chevrolet passenger car, a white van and a silver SUV.

State police said witnesses told officers Oren J. Shanta drove north on Old Mescalero Road at a high rate of speed and did not stop at the stop sign at U.S. 70. Police said his car then hit the van, which carried 10 people, and the SUV, which carried three people.

When officers arrived, state police said medical crews treated several injured people and fire crews rescued three people trapped in the van.

State police said at least six passengers from the van, two people from the Chevrolet and Shanta went to a local hospital for treatment. Police said two more passengers from the van went by air ambulance to a hospital in El Paso.

Police said officers smelled alcohol on Shanta and saw other signs they believed showed impairment while they spoke with him at the scene.

State police said officers later arrested Shanta on charges of Great Bodily Harm by Vehicle (DWI) and Reckless Driving.

New Mexico State Police said no one died in the crash and the conditions of the injured people remain unknown.

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