A wildland firefighter from Ranchos de Taos was killed early Wednesday (June 14) when a truck he was driving overturned and ejected him on Interstate 25 near Maxwell.
Ralph Aguilar, 42, was pronounced dead at the scene of the 6:45 a.m. accident, State Police spokesman Lt. Jimmy Glascock said.
Aguilar was southbound, driving a Ford F-350 wildland firefighting truck when he drifted onto the shoulder and overcorrected, causing the truck to roll.
Glascock said Aguilar was not wearing a seat belt and was ejected from the truck.
Rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. Friday (June16) at Rivera Chapel. Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Talpa Capilla. Arrangements are by Rivera-Hanlon Funeral Home.
Aguilar was working on a private wildland firefighting crew contracted by the New Mexico Division of State Forestry.
"This is a tragic occurrence," State Forestry spokesman Dan Ware said. "Mr. Aguilar and the rest of his crew have been so vital in fighting fires all across New Mexico. We hate to see something like this happen when we lose a valuable member of our team. Our thoughts and sympathies are with his family."
Aguilar is survived by a fianceé, a daughter, and many other family members and friends.
The crash is under investigation. Glascock said investigating officers are waiting on results of a toxicology report to see if alcohol was involved.
Copyright The Taos News.
Republished with permission of The Taos News.
