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Third person dies; community rallies behind crash victims
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RIO RANCHO — The Rio Rancho community is coming together to support the victims of a fatal crash the evening of Wednesday, Nov. 13.
At about 5:30 p.m., the Rio Rancho Dispatch Center received a “vehicle-based crash activation notification pinging” on county land near King Boulevard Northwest and Sheba Drive Northwest, according to the Rio Rancho Police Department. Responding officers found a vehicle collision “engulfed in flames” that involved a Nissan Pathfinder, which was carrying a family of seven, and a Nissan Sequoia.
On Tuesday, Nov. 19, RRPD identified the victims of the accident.
Those killed in the accident are Craig Miller, 36; his son, Craig Miller Jr., 6; daughter Laila Miller, just shy of her first birthday; and the Miller family’s unborn child, who was 26 weeks along. The surviving members of the Miller family, the mother and two sons ages 4 and 8, “sustained significant injuries but are currently in stable condition,” the Tuesday update states.
Francisco Paredes, 46, who was driving the other vehicle, remains hospitalized in critical condition “as medical staff work tirelessly to save his life.”
“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,” Capt. Jacquelynn Reedy wrote on behalf of RRPD. “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.”
GoFundMe campaigns
raise funds for victimsA GoFundMe organized by Jessica Thurgood has been established to help the Miller family. The post states that Craig and Meghan Miller and their four children were on their way home when they got into “a severe head-on collision just three miles from their home.”
According to the post, Craig and Laila died in the crash, and the couple’s unborn son was also lost. Craig Jr. was initially placed on “comfort care” in critical condition, and an update shared the news that he died Nov. 14.
Meghan and her two surviving children remain hospitalized with injuries.
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It goes on to say this is not the first loss the family has faced. The Millers also lost their daughter Lillie in December 2021.
The GoFundMe, established the day after the accident, has a goal of $200,000 to help cover medical expenses, funeral costs and other immediate needs for the family. As of Tuesday morning, 93% of that goal ($185,272) had been raised.
“Meghan and her boys now face a long, difficult journey of healing — both physically and emotionally,” it says. “Let’s rally around them with love, support and hope as they navigate this new life.”
A second update thanks the community for its support. “We are so grateful for all the love and support that has been shared, and to those who have donated so far. Please keep praying for this sweet family. We know so many of you want to reach out and help in anyway possible. However, we request that the family be given their privacy at this time. There is a lot to take in from this tragedy,” it says.
A separate GoFundMe campaign, organized by Jamid Shupe, states that his cousin, Paredes, was in the hospital fighting for his life after the accident. He was on the way home from his new job when he called his wife to let her know he was 20 minutes away from home and was about to lose cell service on the unpaved portion of King Boulevard.
The post says that Paredes was life-flighted to the University of New Mexico Hospital with life-threatening injuries, during which he received open cardiac massage. At the hospital, he underwent emergency surgery where a portion of his lung and liver were removed. He had open incisions made in his chest, abdomen and both legs due to swelling.
The post also notes severe injuries, including broken bones, an Achilles tendon tear and multiple ligament tears in his knees.
He went back into surgery Thursday, where his heart stopped again “and heroic measures were performed, saving his life.” A Nov. 16 update says that he will undergo an additional surgery to close his chest and abdomen.
“Cisco is a man who loves his family and children. He and his wife are currently living with his sick and aging uncle to help take care of him. Cisco was the primary breadwinner in his little family. As a family, we are looking at a long road ahead of him to a new life. The next seven days are critical as every day is a new battle,” the post reads. “This wreck has affected two families, ours and the Millers’. Our prayers go out to their family over this tragic crossing of paths. God bless and thank you for any help you can give; every prayer is a Godsend.”
A Sunday email from a cousin stated that he was still in critical condition but that the family was hopeful.
The GoFundMe for Paredes has raised $16,437 of its $100,000 goal as of Tuesday morning.
Community effortsOn Monday, several local businesses joined forces to host a fundraiser for the Miller family and Paredes. Turquoise Desert, Dulce River and Whiptail will be hosted a barbecue dinner fundraiser at Whiptail, 355 Pat D’Arco Highway. The event sold out of food, but raffles will continue throughout the week. The families will receive 100% of proceeds from the fundraiser with the businesses donating the food, labor and facilities.
Selina Wade, who has organized multiple events in Northern Meadows, posted her intentions to organize a community fundraiser for both families with food trucks and vendors. “We are looking around February or March to do this fundraiser. We want it to be huge and we want to raise as much money as possible for both families,” she wrote on Facebook. “This is going to be a very long healing and grieving journey.”
If you’re interested in volunteering or being a vendor, text 505-331-5537.
If you are hosting or organizing additional fundraisers for the crash victims, email editor@rrobserver.com.
The circumstances of the crash remain under investigation.
