Two die in county road crash

Two children died late Saturday afternoon in an two-vehicle accident along the intersection of Curry County Road 10 and Curry County Road G, according to the Curry County Sheriff’s Office.

Joe Gutierrez, 33, of Clovis, was driving a 1996 Chevy Lumina. In the front seat of the car were Gutierrez, Jennifer Montiel and 4-year-old Joe Gutierrez. In the back seat were 1-year-old Santos Gutierrez, 7-year-old Justin Montiel and 2-month old Luis Gutierrez.

Deputy Sheriff Glenn Russ said Gutierrez was traveling eastbound on County Road 10, and failed to yield to oncoming traffic. The car was struck by a 2000 Ford Expedition driven by Marla Ellison, Russ said.

Justin Montiel and Luis Gutierrez were declared dead at the scene, Russ said. Joe Gutierrez and his son, Joe, were transported to a Lubbock hospital. Jennifer Montiel and Santos Gutierrez were taken to Plains Regional Medical Center.

Justin Montiel and 4-year-old Joe Gutierrez were not wearing seatbelts, Russ said, while Luis and Santos Gutierrez were both secured in child safety seats.

Russ said Ellison told him she was traveling about the speed limit of 55 mph and damage to the vehicle was consistent with that account.

Russ said the investigation was ongoing, but he did not expect to file criminal charges.