Investigation into saver crash underway | KRWG public media

Las Cruces police continue to investigate the circumstances leading up to the April 30 car crash at Savers Thrift Store that left one dead and injured 14 others, according to a news release.

Once police complete their investigation, the facts of the case will be presented to the Third Judicial District Attorney’s Office for review.

Pamela Kaye Nelson, 67, was injured in the accident and taken to an area hospital where she died from her injuries.

The Las Cruces Fire Department has released the age and gender of 12 injured people who received medical attention from the fire department that day. Two victims either refused to give their age or were treated by other emergency physicians.

Of the 12 injured whose ages were given, 11 are women and one is a 70-year-old man. The women are between 26 and 88 years old. Eight of the injured are older than 60 years.

Two of the injured are store employees.

Shortly before 10 a.m. on Tuesday, April 30, Las Cruces police, firefighters and other first responders were dispatched to the scene of the accident at 2340 N. Main St. Investigators learned that a 2015 Ford Explorer crashed through the glass and aluminum exterior near the self-checkout area and turned right as it drove through the store.

The 69-year-old driver of the Explorer, the only occupant of the vehicle, was seriously injured. Later that day, she went to a local hospital on her own. Preliminary information from the investigation indicates that the driver accidentally stepped on the accelerator instead of the brake while pulling into a parking space in front of the store.

Savers has since resumed operations.