Sandoval Co. Fire Chief killed in crash

BERNALILLO, NM (KRQE) - Sandoval County Fire Chief Jon Tibbetts was killed in a rollover wreck that snarled freeway traffic in both directions for hours.

New Mexico State Police say a little before 8:30 Monday morning, Tibbetts, 59, was driving northbound on I-25 about a mile south of the Bernalillo headed towards the department's administration building in a county Ford Explorer when the crash occurred.

Investigators tell KRQE News 13 a Cadillac driving in the same direction hit the concrete barrier in the middle of the freeway and bounced back into traffic, hitting the SUV Tibbetts was driving.

"The fire department vehicle rolled a couple of times and then came over the barrier here between the southbound and northbound lanes," said Lt. Robert McDonald with New Mexico State Police.

Tibbetts' SUV landed upside down in the left and center lanes of southbound I-25. Although the chief was wearing a seatbelt, it wasn't enough to save his life.

The other driver, identified by Sandoval County as Armando Saenz, 22, was transported to Presbyterian Hospital with minor injuries.

New Mexico State Police is trying to piece together exactly what led to the crash. Right now, investigators do not believe alcohol or speed were factors.

Meanwhile, Sandoval County is mourning the loss of the fire chief that served the community for nearly eight years.

"A lot of people would say that before Chief Tibbetts came here that Sandoval County didn't even have a fire department," said Sidney Hill, Sandoval County's spokesman. "He brought a level of professionalism to the department that nobody had seen before."

Tibbetts came to the department from Albuquerque Ambulance where he'd served as operations director.

Hill says the county has counselors on hand to help grieving employees cope with the tragedy.

Tibbetts leaves behind his wife and two adult daughters.