Arrest Warrant Issued After Distracted Driving Crash on Interstate 40  [Tucumcari, NM]

Two People Hospitalized After Multi-Vehicle Crash on Interstate 40

Tucumcari, NM (January 21, 2026) – Authorities issued an arrest warrant for an Albuquerque man accused of causing a serious crash on Interstate 40 near Tucumcari while recording a video on his cellphone, according to court records.

Magistrate Judge Noreen Hendrickson issued the warrant on January 15 for Joshua Henry, 41, who faces charges of great bodily injury by vehicle, reckless driving, and speeding.

Henry was not in custody as of Monday morning.

New Mexico State Police Patrolman Xavier Garcia responded to a report of a multi-vehicle crash with injuries around 2 p.m. on January 13 on eastbound I-40 near Tucumcari.

Upon arrival, the officer found three heavily damaged vehicles. Two people were transported to Dr. Daniel C. Trigg Memorial Hospital for treatment.

According to the criminal complaint, Henry admitted he was driving eastbound with his cruise control set at 85 mph while attempting to record a video of a truck fire on the westbound side of the interstate using a handheld cellphone.

He did not apply his brakes before rear-ending another vehicle, which then struck a third vehicle.

Garcia noted that Henry was driving at an unsafe speed for conditions and had diverted his attention from the roadway. Henry reportedly suffered a severe leg injury.

Another driver, Margarete Ruth Hudgins of Arizona, sustained serious injuries to her right arm and wrist.

Two occupants of a commercial truck involved in the crash were not injured.

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