Motorist Wedged Under Semi Goes Into Labor, Trucker Cited In Crash

Lovington, New Mexico – Police say an 80-year-old tractor-trailer driver violated numerous traffic laws moments before his actions caused a multiple vehicle wreck sending a pregnant motorist into labor.

Lovington police say the 80-year-old semi truck driver was operating along Highway 18 on Monday night when he got lost. He then attempted to make a U-turn on the highway without signaling or putting his hazard lights on.

That’s when police say three cars following the tractor-trailer struck the rig and became wedged under it. “There was three cars behind him that impacted into his tractor and his trailer, and some of the vehicles became wedged under the trailer,” said Lovington Police Det. David Miranda.

One of the motorists involved in the accident was Jessica Villalobos. She was in the front passenger seat of one of the vehicles that became wedged under the semi. She suffered a broken femur and was airlifted to a nearby hospital. She was also eight and a half months pregnant.

Authorities say the shock of the accident sent her into labor. Doctors had to wait to perform surgery on her leg because she was in labor.

Jessica’s sister Jasminn Villalobos, told krqe.com “I was just hoping my nephew was okay. I just saw his carseat just thrown underneath the semi and I was hoping my brother-in-law was okay and my sister. She’s so strong, but she just keeps saying her strength is coming from God,” said Villalobos.

Jessica Villalobos gave birth to a healthy baby boy Wednesday morning and Jasminn said the family could not be happier and believes God saved them. “He’s so cute, he has the biggest dimples, he’s healthy so that’s what really matters,” said Villalobos. “It’s definitely a miracle. God saved them. He had his hand on their life.”

Villalobo’s 2-year-old nephew was also in the car and was unharmed. Her brother-in-law, who was driving, had a broken nose.

Incredibly no one was killed in the accident. “It’s a miracle that no one was more seriously injured or killed. That stretch of road is a very heavily traveled corridor. There’s a lot of oilfield traffic on it and it’s always busy, so we’re very lucky,” said Det. Miranda.

The truck driver was cited for not signaling and making an improper turn.

Video shared courtesy of krqe.com.