Speeding vehicles raise neighbors’ ire

Following a hit-and-run incident on State Road 382 in Llano Quemado, community members are calling a meeting to discuss road safety in the area.

On June 28, a woman was struck by a UTV, a vehicle larger than an ATV, while she was walking on the side of the road. She survived, but suffered serious injuries.

Neighbors in the area say offroad vehicle activity has been increasing during the coronavirus pandemic. After the June 28 incident, they are now calling for action.

“You’ve got all that space out there (in the mountains) to get nutty and zip around,” said Michael Burney. “Why aren’t they going out there?”

Burney said he has lived on State Road 382 for 20 years and has seen an increase in the traffic speeding through the neighborhood.

He attributes the rise of off road vehicles to the pandemic and the additional time people have to spend at home.

State Road 382 is a narrow, partially paved road that leads vehicles to Miranda Canyon and the Ponce de Leon hot springs.

The collision with the pedestrian resulted in the later arrest of Marcos Archuleta from Ranchos de Taos, but the community is hoping to gather members together to discuss the problem.

The meeting will take place at 6 p.m. on July 19 at 28 State Road 382 and will adhere to social distancing protocols. Residents plan to discuss speeding and the use of off-road vehicles through the historic neighborhood south of Taos.

“If drivers obeyed the speed limit and were respectful there wouldn’t be a problem,” said Alena Gilchrist. “One of our friends had to get severely injured and now, we’re done.”

Gilchrist said the woman who was hit is in recovery and is being taken care of by friends.

The meeting will be outside and will have a microphone and speakers to ensure everyone present is able to listen in.