Services for county fire chief planned

BERNALILLO, N.M. (KRQE) - Sandoval County and the regional emergency-services community continue to mourn the death of Fire Chief John Tibbetts.

Tibbetts, credited with building the Sandoval County Fire Department, died Monday morning in a crash on Interstate 25 just south of Bernalillo.

Police reported the driver of a Cadillac station wagon collided into the chief as they were traveling north on Interstate 25 just south Bernalillo. That caused Tibbetts' car to roll and flip over the concrete median barrier into the southbound lanes where it landed on its top.

Tibbetts, 59, died at the scene.

The driver of the Cadillac, Armando Saenz, 22, had minor injuries.

Police are still investigating, and no enforcement actions have been taken.

Funeral services are planned for later in the week beginning with a public visitation from 4-7 p.m. Thursday at Daniels Family Funeral Services at Vista Verde Memorial Park, 4310 Sara Rd. SE in Rio Rancho.

A public memorial service will be held from 9-11 a.m. Friday at the Santa Ana Star Center in Rio Rancho.  Tibbetts will then be laid to rest in the Public Servants Garden at Vista Verde.