Another victim dies from Nov. 13 crash; report provides additional details

RIO RANCHO — Francisco Paredes, 46, one of the victims in critical condition from the fatal crash on King Boulevard Nov. 13, has died, the Rio Rancho Police Department confirmed Friday.

“It is with a broken heart that I share this. Cisco, son, father, and friend, has made his way into the hands of God,” an update on his GoFundMe page reads. “Thank you to all for the prayers and all help that has been given.”

Paredes was one of the victims airlifted after a head-on collision between the 2001 Toyota Sequoia he was driving and a 2023 Nissan Pathfinder driven by Craig Miller.

Miller, 36, and his 11-month-old daughter died at the scene; his 6-year-old son Craig Jr. was initially transported to University of New Mexico Hospital by via air ambulance, where he later died from his injuries. Miller’s wife, 26 weeks along, lost their unborn baby, and she and her two surviving sons, ages 4 and 8, sustained significant injuries but were in stable condition, RRPD said Tuesday. They were taken to the hospital by Rio Ranch Fire Rescue.

The initial report released by RRPD Thursday evening notes that the accident, which occurred at 5:31 p.m., happened on a two-lane, dry, unpaved road at a hillcrest during dusk in clear weather near the road’s intersection with Sheba Drive NW. Both vehicles drove left of center with “other visual obstruction(s)” noted in the section for apparent contributing factors.

The narrative of the report notes that the initial 911 call came in via an automated crash activation notification. The Nissan, facing north on King, was engulfed in flames. The investigation found that the Miller family was approaching Sheba Drive, with tire tracks “indicating the vehicle had swerved left prior to the collision, leading up to the area of impact.”

Miller Sr. was trapped in the car, but his wife and children were able to get out before first responders arrived. The report notes “heavy front-end damage to the vehicle as well as fire damage to the entirety of the vehicle.”

Paredes was the sole occupant in the Toyota. All tracks from his vehicle were destroyed by police and fire personnel attempting to render aid, the report says. He was removed from the vehicle by responding officers to get him away from the Nissan’s fire. His car received heavy and disabling damage to the front end.

No violations were noted in the report. Both vehicles were towed to RRPD’s secure lot for further inspection. The crash remains under investigation.

“The toll of this heartbreaking crash is immeasurable. The loss of such young, vibrant lives, alongside the tragedy of an unborn child who will never know the love of their family, is a wound that will not easily heal,” RRPD said in a statement Tuesday. “The Miller family and Mr. Paredes’ loved ones are now faced with unimaginable grief and uncertainty as they navigate the aftermath of this life-altering event. Our entire community grieves alongside them, and we extend our deepest sympathies to everyone affected. May we find strength in unity as we support the families in their time of need.”