RINCONADA, Rio Arriba County, N.M., Nov. 10, 2026 — A rear-seat passenger was airlifted to an Albuquerque hospital after a rear-end collision on Sunday morning, November 8, on NM 68 near Rinconada, according to New Mexico State Police.
Troopers came upon the two-vehicle crash near milepost 22 shortly after 10 a.m. An initial investigation found that a silver Subaru, carrying a driver and two passengers, had stopped in the roadway to wait for a turn into a business when it was struck from behind by a Toyota passenger car.
The rear-seat passenger in the Subaru suffered serious injuries and was flown to a hospital in Albuquerque, N.M. Their current condition has not been released. It is not known whether the driver or the front-seat passenger of the Subaru, or the driver of the Toyota, were hurt.
The crash remains under investigation. The roadway reopened to traffic shortly after noon.
We wish those injured a full recovery.
More on Crashes in Rinconada, NM
This crash happened on NM 68 in Rinconada, NM. We cover crashes across Rio Arriba County as they're reported, and you can browse the latest in our Rio Arriba County accident reports.
Frequently Asked Questions
What usually causes rear-end collisions?
Most rear-end crashes happen when a trailing driver follows too closely, is distracted, or fails to notice a vehicle has slowed or stopped ahead in time to react.
How does following distance help prevent these crashes?
Keeping a longer gap between vehicles gives a driver more time to brake or steer around a hazard if traffic ahead slows suddenly or stops.
Why does distraction play such a large role in rear-end crashes?
Even a few seconds of looking away from the road, at a phone or elsewhere, can prevent a driver from noticing stopped traffic until it's too late to stop safely.
What injuries commonly result from rear-end crashes?
Occupants can suffer whiplash, neck and back injuries, or more serious trauma depending on speed and impact, especially for passengers in the rear seat.
