Otero County, NM – On October 10, at around 9:30 p.m. the New Mexico State Police, investigated a fatal crash involving a motorcycle on U.S. 54 near milepost 70 north of Alamogordo.
The initial investigation indicated that a Kawasaki motorcycle driven by Brian Steven Oberlander, 39, of Alamogordo was traveling south on U.S. 54. The motorcycle attempted to pass a Chevrolet pick-up that was also traveling south and being driven by a 31-year-old La Luz man. For reasons still under investigation, during the pass, the motorcycle left the roadway and crashed. Oberlander suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Office of the Medical Investigator.
Alcohol use appears to be a factor in this crash and the rider appears to not have been properly wearing a helmet. This crash is still under investigation by the New Mexico State Police.
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