By Kevin Hendricks, The Paper.
A motorcyclist died early on the morning of May 13 on NM Highway 528, the second fatal crash on the corridor in six weeks — and the latest blow to a community already demanding action on a road state data shows has claimed seven lives in 18 months.
Rio Rancho police responded to the intersection of NM 528 and Sabana Grande Ave SE at approximately 2:48 a.m. May 13 after a motorcycle and truck collided. “The crash this morning was unfortunately fatal in nature,” RRPD stated in a social media post around 4 a.m. “The motorcycle rider succumbed to their injuries sustained from the crash.” Southbound lanes of NM 528 were closed at High Resort Boulevard for the duration of the crash investigation, reopening around 8:18 a.m.
A witness told officers he was traveling northbound on NM 528 when he saw the motorcycle — which had been traveling southbound alongside the truck — accelerate to a high rate of speed and attempt to pass the truck using the bicycle lane before striking it. Preliminary investigation indicated both vehicles were traveling southbound at the time of the crash, according to RRPD. No charges have been filed. The incident remains under investigation.
The crash comes six weeks after Noah C De Baca, 24, died on April 4 when police say he and a second driver were racing at speeds witnesses estimated between 100 and 120 mph. That crash also seriously injured two others. RRPD has run overtime enforcement details on the corridor since April and state safety improvements — including three planned speed cameras approved by the State Transportation Commission in January — remain in progress, with a permanent traffic signal at the Pasilla Road intersection not expected until 2029–2030.
NMDOT recorded 24 crashes on the roughly 3.5-mile stretch of NM 528 between Idalia Road NE and Honduras Road NE in 2025 alone.
NM 528 safety — what to know:
- Interim Pasilla Rd. improvements: Delineators and restriping anticipated this summer
- Long-term traffic signal: TIP/STIP-listed for 2029–2030; design not yet begun
- Speed cameras: Three planned; State Transportation Commission approved Jan. 15, 2026 — timeline TBD
- RRPD non-emergency: 505-891-7200
- NMDOT District 3:dot.nm.gov/district-3