Hobbs woman dies in crash

HOBBS, N.M. A Hobbs, N.M., woman was killed Tuesday in a crash on State Highway 18 after the car she was riding in tried to pass a tractor-trailer in the right lane, New Mexico State Police said.

Jennifer Luna, 28, was pronounced dead at the scene. Three children passengers as well as the driver of the car also were injured in the crash, police said.

Police said the crash is still being investigated.

The crash happened about 2:20 p.m. south of Hobbs. Luna was riding in a 2004 Dodge passenger vehicle driven by 31-year-old Valerie Luna when police said the car attempted to pass the tractor-trailer.

Police said the Dodge, traveling at “a high rate of speed,” collided with the rear of the tractor-trailer as it switched lanes.

Three children, who were riding unrestrained in the Dodge, were taken by ambulance to Lea Regional Hospital, police said.  Two of them were treated and released and the third was airlifted to a Lubbock hospital for further treatment, police said.

The driver of the tractor-trailer was uninjured, police said.