APD Releases Report on Two Deaths from Accident at 10th and White Sands Blvd

The Alamogordo Police Department has released to the press its official investigation notes from the wreck that occurred at the 10th Street and White Sands Blvd intersection the afternoon of April 7th, 2024.

Austin Dawhan, 23, and Susan Diane Narveson, 73 died as a result of injuries sustained at the scene.

According to reports from the Alamogordo Police Department; Austin Dawhan was allegedly traveling at an excessively high rate of speed down 10th street in a blue Chrysler Sebring when he ran the the stop signs at 10th and New York and then swung through the red light at 10th and White Sands Blvd colliding with a Saturn driven by Susan Diane Narveson.

Ms. Narveson was pronounced dead at the scene. Dawhan reportedly hit Narveson's vehicle so hard that the engine in her Saturn flew out of the vehicle and hit a third car, a Hyundai Santa Fe. The driver of that vehicle was reported to have no injuries but was badly shaken up according to witness accounts at the scene.

Mr. Dawhan’s vehicle eventually collided with a light post and signal box, according to the report and one of the vehicles tore into the wall at the park on the corner. Firefighters had to extract Mr. Dawhan from his car. Dawhan was bleeding from two wounds and gasping for air, according to the report.

Dawhan was flown to a hospital in El Paso and upon arrival of his parents from Atlanta, he succumbed to his injuries.

Detective Zachariah Diaz, reported to the Alamogordo Daily News that Dawhan had an ankle monitor on at the time of the wreck though records indicated Dawhan had not violated probation. Dawhan had previously been sentenced to house arrest since June of 2023 after being arrested in 2020 on five felony charges.

Mr. Dawhan is remembered by his peers and some locals for producing music in the rap genre his song Young Forever can be found on Soundcloud and on Facebook. Mr. Dawhan's family has not released information on memorial services for his death and are handling the tragedy with close family members.  Friends and family claim that no drugs or alcohol were involved and that the vehicle is being looked into as possibly having a mechanical problem. His parents live in Atlanta.

Ms. Narveson is remembered as she was born August 28, 1950 to Hildon Rossie Bridges and Margie Fern Bridges (Hartman) in Clinton, Oklahoma. The family moved to Alamogordo in the mid-50s, where Susan and her brother were raised. She was a 1968 graduate of Alamogordo High School

She married Larry Narveson on April 18, 1969.

In 1970 the couple moved to Denver, CO where they grew a family and became an active part of Northglenn Baptist Church

They returned to Alamogordo in 1979, and moved to their beautiful mountain home in 1994.

Susan's life leaves a legacy of love and service to her family and community. Most days she could be found serving in various ministries, such as the Pregnancy Crisis Center; playing the organ for church, weddings or funerals; hosting friends and family for countless gatherings; sewing or quilting for her loved ones; making a meal or a treat; or shuttling friends to and from appointments--all in addition to loving her family and friends well. She truly exemplified the Proverbs 31 woman according to her obituary.

Susan is survived by her husband Larry Narveson; children Randy Narveson of Ruidoso, NM, Margie Foster and husband Bernard of Dacula, GA; six grandchildren; sister Donna Bridges of Tularosa, NM; brother Robert Bridges and wife Gwen of Tularosa, NM. She was preceded in death by her parents, as well as numerous aunts and uncles who loved her as their own.

In Memory of Susan Diane Narveson.

The accident that occurred on 10th and White Sands is true tragedy with two families in mourning deep losses.

The topic of speeding and traffic laws was a topic of concern expressed at the most recent Alamogordo City Commission meeting.

Alamogordo police have been on heightened alert to slow down speeders and to work to ensure drivers are more safety conscious issuing more citations. The Alamogordo police ask that the public obey speed limits and show courtesy in driving and sharing the roads.

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