2 City Workers Killed in Crash

Thursday, March 17, 2016 at 12:00 AM

Both Chase Powell and Joe Schmidt worked for the City’s Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs Department at the Piñon Hills Golf Course. The two men were traveling home from an irrigation workshop in Grand Junction, Colorado when the accident occurred. At this time the incident is being investigated under the jurisdiction of the New Mexico State Police.

From the City of Farmington:

Two City of Farmington employees were involved in a fatal accident last night at approximately 10:30 pm on US 491, north of Shiprock. City Manager, Rob Mayes stated, “First and foremost, I want to express on behalf of our entire employee family our deepest condolences and sympathy to the family and loved ones of Chase Powell and Joe Schmidt. I also want to acknowledge the remarkable impact this terrible event is having on those employees who worked closely with these men, our employee family here at the City of Farmington, and to our Farmington community as a whole. There is simply no good way to express how we feel and the depth of pain this news caused to so many.”

Both Powell and Schmidt worked for the City’s Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs Department at the Piñon Hills Golf Course. The two men were traveling home from an irrigation workshop in Grand Junction, Colorado when the accident occurred. At this time the incident is being investigated under the jurisdiction of the New Mexico State Police.

The City of Farmington will have grief counseling available for employees through the employee assistance program. The City would like to express our appreciation for the many messages of support we have received from community leaders and community members during this very difficult time for the victims’ families and for our employees.

More from Local News

San Juan College Luminaria Display: Sat. Dec. 7, 2024

Sounds of the season will ring campus-wide as San Juan College’s listener-supported radio station, KSJE 90.9 FM, broadcasts your favorite Christmas carols. The KSJE Facebook page will also provide live video coverage of the event several times throughout the evening.
2024 Election: San Juan County Contested Races

These are the unofficial election results from voting on Tuesday, November 5, 2024 of the contested races in San Juan County, NM.
Local Freight Rail to receive up to $4 Million more for project

The (Four Corners Freight Rail) project aligns with the selection criteria by enhancing resilience and improving system and service performance, as the project will provide a viable freight transportation modal alternative to highway trucking, opportunities to simplify the supply chain, and enable new, rail-dependent economic development opportunities thereby imparting benefits to the Navajo Nation and surrounding communities.
Teen Boy Fatally Stabbed, Mother Beaten, Juvenile Suspect Arrested

The victim is a 12-year old boy who died of apparent stab wounds. A second victim, believed to be the suspect’s mother, sustained injuries from a blunt object attack and is being treated at CommonSpirit Mercy Hospital in Durango. The names of the victims are being withheld as the investigation is ongoing. The incident was reported by a motorist who was involved in a single vehicle accident shortly after 7 a.m., believed to have been caused by the suspect as he fled the residence on Snowy Peaks Way. Deputies discovered the scene when they arrived to investigate the accident.
Woman & Bystander Fatally Shot in Farmington

Andrew Wittenberg has been charged with aggravated burglary, larceny of a firearm, two counts of first-degree murder, and tampering with evidence. The investigation is still ongoing, and more information will be provided as it becomes available.
Sheriff's Office Makes Arrests in Bloomfield Double Homicide

On August 29, 2024, Detectives and USMS investigative efforts tracked the suspects to a mobile home in the Waterflow area west of Kirtland New Mexico. San Juan County Sheriff’s Office, Farmington Police Department, United States Marshals Service and the New Mexico State Police arrived at the location and began to call out Isaiah Brown and Ravyn Burns.