Dr. Charles “Charlie” McMillan, director of Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) died after being involved in a two-car collision in the early morning of Friday, September 6th.
The fatal crash occurred around 5:15 am. The Los Alamos Police Department (LAPD) received reports of a two-vehicle accident on New Mexico State Route 502, near the Camino Entrada intersection.
Two individuals were taken to the Los Alamos Medical Center for treatment, a 22-year-old female, and a 69-year-old male, identified as Dr. McMillan. The 22-year-old sustained minor injuries, however, Dr. McMillan succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at the hospital.
LAPD’s crash team is still investigating the cause of the collision.
The Impact of Fatal Car Accidents in New Mexico and Los Alamos
Fatal car accidents remain a pressing issue in New Mexico and its communities, including Los Alamos. The tragic death of Dr. McMillan serves as a stark reminder of the dangers New Mexico drivers face each day on the roads and highlights the need for greater emphasis on traffic safety.
New Mexico consistently ranks among the states with the highest rates of traffic fatalities, with more than 500 traffic-related deaths reported in 2023. This statistic highlights significant public safety issues and the importance of implementing legal and regulatory measures to address them.
In smaller communities like Los Alamos, fatal accidents can have a profound impact. The close-knit nature of these communities often amplifies the emotional and legal ramifications of such tragedies.
“This tragic incident serves as a powerful reminder of the inherent dangers on our roads,” says Michael Duran, attorney at Singleton Schreiber, “Injured drivers on New Mexico roads deserve not only justice but also closure after such a collision with devastating consequences. We are confident the LAPD will work hard to quickly determine the cause of the collision. Our thoughts are with those affected by this tragedy.”
Safe Driving Practices
Staying safe on the road is important, and while accidents happen, there are practices every driver can implement to increase safety on the road. Some safe driving practices that every driver can use include:
- Adhering to posted speed limits
- Driving sober
- Avoiding the use of distractions
- Signaling intention to other drivers
- Maintaining a safe following distance
- Obeying posted signs and signals
- Checking blind spots before changing lanes
- Adjusting speed and following distance according to weather conditions
- Ensuring your vehicle receives regular maintenance
- And more
If you’ve lost a loved one in a car accident in New Mexico, contact the team at Singleton Schreiber by calling (505) 605-2076 or emailing us at info@singletonschreiber.com to schedule a free consultation.
