A Carlsbad man died in a two-car crash May 9 on Interstate 25 south of Socorro, New Mexico State Police said.

Jesse Lueras, 55, was a backseat passenger in a Nissan Sentra driven by a 69-year-old woman who was merging onto the northbound lane of the highway from the shoulder, State police said in a news release.

In the news release, police allege the Nissan was driving at a slow speed when it was struck from behind by a pickup driven by a 30-year-old woman.

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Both vehicles sustained heavy damage and Lueras died from fatal injuries. He was pronounced dead on scene by the Office of the Medical Investigator, the release cited.

Police indicated survivors in both vehicles sustained various injuries and were transported to area hospitals for treatment.

The names of the drivers and passengers were not released to the media by police.

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Seatbelts apparently were not properly used, and alcohol does not appear to have been a factor in the crash, which is still under investigation.

Mike Smith can be reached at 575-628-5546 or by email at MSmith@currentargus.com or @ArgusMichae on Twitter.