Vehicle swept off US 70 in July storm still stuck on WSMR property; owner asking for help

Las Cruces Sun-News (NM)

Note: This article has been updated with information about criminal charges pending against Tamara King.

LAS CRUCES - Three weeks have passed since a major storm traveled through Las Cruces wreaking havoc throughout the city, and Tamara King's Mazda 3 is still stuck in the dried mud on White Sands Missile Range land off US 70.

King was driving to her home in Organ when she got caught up in the mudslide that covered several miles of highway on the east side of the Organ Mountains with mud and debris. Her vehicle, also carrying a friend and a dog, ended up about a football field's length from the roadway. Luckily all three were eventually able to get out of the car safely.

More: Sunday's severe storm costs city over $66,000 to repair damages to public property

The Mazda was damaged beyond repair and is missing bumpers and tires. Mud, sticks and other storm debris were under the hood of the car and there is no way the vehicle can be driven out of the area.

Scott Stearns, chief of WSMR public affairs, says King has until Aug. 11 to take care of her vehicle and that removal is to be coordinated through insurance. However, King didn't have full coverage insurance on the car.

She said she doesn't know anyone who owns a vehicle with four-wheel drive and a winch long enough to tow the remnants, and is unable to afford to hire a towing company.

King is asking for help through a GoFundMe page to pay for towing expenses and a replacement vehicle.

Lori Ann King and her husband Jimmie King — no relation to Tamara — were also driving on US 70 that Sunday. Lori said they pulled behind a tractor trailer and stayed on the highway for about seven hours before law enforcement helped vehicles over San Augustin pass. The couple were not swept away but were able to film Tamara's Mazda 3 being swept away in the flood.

"We are new to NM ... having just moved here in November from (New York). We have never seen anything like that flash flood and mudslide!" Lori wrote in an email.

More: WSMR's Owen Road has history of flooding

Tamara said if the car had traveled just a bit farther to the WSMR exit or if the car had flipped over, she fears she would not be alive today.

"I don't think that I realized or anybody realizes how close to death I really came," King wrote in a message.

Donations to Tamara can be made online at https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-tamara-replace-her-poor-car?utm_medium=social&utm_source=messenger&utm_campaign=p_lico+share-sheet.

It was brought to the attention of the Sun-News that Tamara has several felony charges filed against her involving forgery, theft of identity and receiving stolen property. King has not been convicted of any charges.

In June 2019, King was charged with two fourth-degree felony counts of forgery ($2,500 or less), one fourth-degree felony count of theft or identity and one petty misdemeanor count of possession or use of an altered, forged or fictitious license. She was indicted by a grand jury and a jury trial is in this case is pending.

In June 2021, King was charged with one third-degree felony count of forgery of a New Mexico title and bill of sale, three fourth-degree felony counts of receiving stolen property (no more than $2,500), one fourth-degree felony count of tampering with evidence and one fourth-degree felony count of conspiracy to commit crime. A preliminary examination is set in this case for Aug. 13, 2021 in magistrate court.

Leah Romero is the trending reporter at the Las Cruces Sun-News and can be reached at 575-418-3442, lromero@lcsun-news.com or @rromero_leah on Twitter.