Intersection proving deadly

RIO RANCHO, NM (KRQE) - Drivers crashing through walls, trying to kill themselves and others, their cars ending up in residents' yards and homes.

It keeps happening at what should be a quiet residential intersection in Rio Rancho.

The most recent deadly crash at Rainbow Road and Tulip happened Saturday when Kyle Moharter, 24 slammed his motorcycle into a concrete barrier wall.

Police believe that crash was an accident, but not two others.

"The two crashes prior to this weekend we have reason to believe that they were intentional crashes," said Rio Rancho Police Sergeant Nicholas Onken.

Last December police said Javier Valenzuela, 35 drove his car through a cinderblock wall at the intersection and into a house, narrowly missing one of the homeowners. Valenzuela was killed.

"Our investigation has led us to believe that this was actually a suicide," Onken said.

In 2002 police say a 25-year-old woman sped through the intersection, launched her car over the cinderblock wall and landed on the roof of a house.  The woman and her passenger were badly hurt.

"We don't have 100 percent certainty that it was a murder-suicide, but it appeared as though there was some intent to injure both parties in the vehicle," Sergeant Onken said.

Police said the common denominator in all three crashes was speed.

As for why people are choosing this intersection, investigators have their theories.

"The area of Tulip that these vehicles were traveling on is very straight and it gives a bit of a runway for folks if they choose to try to hurt themselves," Onken said.

The city installed concrete barriers after last year's crash to try and protect the homes, but neighbors are still on edge.

"With three accidents, I wouldn't want to live in the houses across from that intersection," said Phillip Gamache who lives in the area.

Police are asking for an audit of this intersection to see what, if anything, can be done to curb the crashes.

Neighbors have suggested adding speed bumps on Tulip to slow down drivers before the intersection.