Arizona woman killed, two teens injured in U.S. 180 canyon crash

A woman from Arizona was killed and two teenagers were injured Sunday morning after a vehicle plunged roughly 300 feet into a canyon along U.S. Highway 180, according to the Catron County Sheriff’s Office.

Sheriff Keith Hughes said the crash occurred around mile marker 33 between Reserve and Glenwood. The vehicle was traveling southbound when it left the roadway and went down the embankment.

The driver, Sandra Dixon, a woman in her early 60s from Safford, Arizona, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Two juveniles, ages 15 and 16, were injured and transported from the crash site before being airlifted to an El Paso‑area hospital. Their conditions have not been released.

Hughes said investigators believe speed may have been a factor.

The crash prompted highway closures Sunday as first responders worked in the remote canyon area. Catron County officials later reopened U.S. 180 to one lane, urging drivers to use caution while crews remained on scene.

Hughes said this is the second fatal crash in the same area in just over a month.