Wreck sends two to hospital

Two people remain hospitalized as the Enterprise went to press this week following a two-vehicle collision near Howardwick Monday.

Ricardo Grajedo of Pampa was traveling north on SH 70 in a 2001 Chevy Tahoe at 5:41 p.m. when he veered to the left and struck a 2008 Dodge pickup driven by Rubin Cantu, Jr., of Hobbs, NM, who was in the turning lane preparing to turn left onto Rick Husband Blvd, Department of Public Safety Trooper Chad Simpson said.

The Dodge was struck in the right rear corner and came to rest in the west ditch of SH 70 pointing southeast. The Tahoe came to rest in the middle of SH 70 pointing southwest.
Grajeda, age 36, was transported by LifeStar to University Medical Center in Lubbock, where he was listed in stable condition Tuesday afternoon.

Eight-year-old Angelica Cantu, who was in the Dodge pickup, was also taken to UMC by LifeStar and was listed in critical condition. 

Rubin Cantu, 30; Star Cantu, 28; Amber Cantu, 9; and Ashley Cantu, 5, were all transported by ambulance to Northwest Texas Hospital in Amarillo, where they were treated and released.

Simpson said that the Cantu family members were all wearing seatbelts and that Grajeda was not properly restrained. He also said that alcohol does appear to be a contributing factor to the accident, but charges are pending while the investigation continues.

Following the accident, a third motorist pulled up at the scene, was found to be intoxicated, and was arrested for DWI, Simpson said.

Responding to this accident were Associated Ambulance Authority, Clarendon Volunteer Fire Department, Donley County Sheriff’s Office, the Texas Department of Transportation, Game Wardens, and Texas DPS.