New details have emerged about the traffic stop that led to the death of Sergeant Michael Schlattman from the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office, as a Rio Rancho Police Department traffic report outlines the events leading to him being pinned under his SUV on Interstate 40.Just after 5 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 23, Schlattman pulled over a Ford Ranger heading westbound on Interstate 40 near the Carnuel exit. He instructed the driver to move the truck forward to a safer area of the interstate. Before either vehicle could move, a semi-truck clipped the back of Schlattman’s SUV. The driver of the Ford Ranger told police he “felt an impact from behind, did not know what caused this impact, and pulled off to the side.” He then saw Schlattman pinned under the SUV and called 911.A witness reported seeing the semi-truck clip the rear driver side of Schlattman’s SUV, causing the tractor-trailer to cross lanes and the attached trailer to separate. The report lists possible contributing factors, including the semi driver’s failure to yield to police vehicles and low visibility due to glare. It also notes that the semi driver had not consumed alcohol and that the road was dry and clear.”Rest in peace, and we will take it from here,” BCSO Sheriff John Allen said, reflecting on the tragic scene that left Schlattman’s family and colleagues reeling. Schlattman was buried on his 53rd birthday.Rio Rancho police have identified the semi driver, who was hospitalized at UNM Hospital, but no charges or citations have been filed. KOAT is not publicly naming the driver since they are not currently charged. The driver’s current condition is unknown. The Rio Rancho Police Department has taken over the case to avoid any conflict of interest.Driving west at sundown can cause extreme difficulty, and New Mexico State Police reported 125 crashes over the last five years on that stretch of road, including seven fatalities, they told KOAT on Thursday. The total crashes account for going both East and Westbound.
New details have emerged about the traffic stop that led to the death of Sergeant Michael Schlattman from the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office, as a Rio Rancho Police Department traffic report outlines the events leading to him being pinned under his SUV on Interstate 40.
Just after 5 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 23, Schlattman pulled over a Ford Ranger heading westbound on Interstate 40 near the Carnuel exit.
He instructed the driver to move the truck forward to a safer area of the interstate. Before either vehicle could move, a semi-truck clipped the back of Schlattman’s SUV. The driver of the Ford Ranger told police he “felt an impact from behind, did not know what caused this impact, and pulled off to the side.” He then saw Schlattman pinned under the SUV and called 911.
A witness reported seeing the semi-truck clip the rear driver side of Schlattman’s SUV, causing the tractor-trailer to cross lanes and the attached trailer to separate. The report lists possible contributing factors, including the semi driver’s failure to yield to police vehicles and low visibility due to glare. It also notes that the semi driver had not consumed alcohol and that the road was dry and clear.
“Rest in peace, and we will take it from here,” BCSO Sheriff John Allen said, reflecting on the tragic scene that left Schlattman’s family and colleagues reeling. Schlattman was buried on his 53rd birthday.
Rio Rancho police have identified the semi driver, who was hospitalized at UNM Hospital, but no charges or citations have been filed. KOAT is not publicly naming the driver since they are not currently charged. The driver’s current condition is unknown.
The Rio Rancho Police Department has taken over the case to avoid any conflict of interest.
Driving west at sundown can cause extreme difficulty, and New Mexico State Police reported 125 crashes over the last five years on that stretch of road, including seven fatalities, they told KOAT on Thursday. The total crashes account for going both East and Westbound.
