
Luna County Sheriff’s Captain Jose Martinez said 24-year-old Yrau Vela was walking in the middle of Highway 180 or the Silver City Highway at about 4:25 a.m. Saturday when he was struck by a 2005 Ford car heading northbound.
The driver of the car told officers he saw a southbound vehicle nearly strike Vela, and saw Vela jump out of the way of the southbound vehicle and directly into the path of his vehicle before he had time to avoid hitting him.
Martinez said deputies responding to the accident found Vela unresponsive but breathing.
He was airlifted to El Paso for treatment of his injuries.
The case was turned over to New Mexico State Police for further investigation.