Cop dodging semi injured in rollover

ROSWELL, N.M. (KRQE) - A State Police lieutenant patrolling to reduce crashes in southeastern New Mexico became the victim of a severe crash himself Wednesday.

He found himself looking head-on at a semi going the wrong way when he crashed, and the truck driver took off.

Lt. Javier Moncada, 39, was trying to avoid the crash when he rolled his patrol car nearly three times. He's now in the hospital.   

The State Police unit was upside down and items were scattered when officers and paramedics arrived on scene after 4:30 p.m.

State Police Sgt. Lawrence Murray was one of the first on scene on State Route 249 near Hagerman just south of Roswell.

"It's a shock to hear the transmission of the dispatchers sending us to a crash involving one of our own," Murray told KRQE News 13. "It hits home."

Moncada was on patrol looking for speeders in Lea County on a road well-traveled by semi drivers.
 
As he topped a hill, police said a semi drifted into his lane.

"At that point Lt. Moncada took evasive action by swerving to the right, which caused him to leave the paved surface and his vehicle went into a broadside skid," Murray said.

Moncada's unit rolled nearly three times landing on its roof. The semi continued toward Hagerman without stopping.
    
Police said it was other drivers who stopped to call 911. Moncada had already used his duty knife to cut his seat belt and had crawled out of the wreckage through the smashed window.

"I made sure he was OK and told him not to worry about anything," Murray recalled.  "He was in pain."

Moncada was rushed to the hospital with head, neck and back injuries.
     
State Police deal with crashes all too often, and Sgt. said from the looks of the wreckage, it could have been worse.

"He's very fortunate," Murray said.  "We're very fortunate that we still have him."

"Our hearts go out to his family. This is something we deal with every day.  When it's your own, it's hard."

The road where the crash happened is posted at 55 mph. State Police said speed was not a factor in the lieutenant's crash.   

Moncada has been with State Police for 14 years. He's being treated for his injuries at a Roswell hospital where he's reported to be stable and in serious condition.

Police are still searching for the driver of the red semi who left the scene of the crash. Anyone with information can contact the New Mexico State Police office in Roswell at (575) 622-7200.