5-10-2026 8:23am

Fatal Wrong-Way DWI Crash in Luna County Spotlights New Mexico’s Continued Fight Against Impaired Driving

Chris Edwards Editor

N.M. — A 31-year-old Russian national faces vehicular homicide charges after a deadly wrong-way crash on Interstate 10 that killed one motorist and injured another, the latest in a series of impaired driving incidents that underscore New Mexico’s ongoing enforcement efforts.

According to the New Mexico State Police, a Be On the Lookout (BOLO) alert was issued around 1:39 a.m. on May 8, 2026, for a wrong-way driver on I-10 near milepost 123. U.S. Border Patrol reported the vehicle continued the wrong direction and struck two other vehicles near milepost 102 in Luna County.

District 12 officers arrived to find one driver trapped in their vehicle. First responders extricated the victim, who was transported to a local hospital and later pronounced deceased. A second occupant was hospitalized with a head injury.

The wrong-way driver, identified as Artem Durnov, 31, of Russia, was arrested at the scene. Investigators determined he was under the influence of drugs. He was booked into the Luna County Detention Center and charged with:

• Homicide by Vehicle – Negligent Manslaughter (DWI)

• DWI (Drugs)

• Reckless Driving

The crash comes amid sustained statewide efforts to combat impaired driving. New Mexico State Police set a record in 2024 with 803 impaired driver arrests, up from 673 the previous year.

In Otero County, the Alamogordo Police Department reported 71 DWI arrests in 2025 — nearly double their 2024 total of 37. In the first quarter of 2026 alone, APD made 36 DUI arrests.

Statewide DWI case volumes remain high, with courts adjudicating over 10,000 cases in 2024 at a conviction rate of approximately 68%. While comprehensive 2025 and early 2026 totals are still being finalized, local and state agencies continue sobriety checkpoints, saturation patrols, and targeted enforcement, often resulting in additional wrong-way detections tied to impairment.

New Mexico State Police emphasized that impaired driving is a preventable choice with devastating consequences. “This tragedy is another heartbreaking reminder that impaired driving… puts everyone on the road at risk,” officials stated.

No names of the victims have been released pending family notification. The investigation remains ongoing.

Authorities urge the public to report suspected impaired drivers by calling 911 immediately. New Mexico State Police and partner agencies say they remain committed to removing dangerous drivers from the roads and holding violators accountable to the fullest extent of the law.