Farmington , NM : City employee Andy Burns critically injured in a vehicle crash at Outside the Farmington Fire Department on Tuesday ,April 19th, 2016

City employee Andy Burns' condition has improved after he was critically injured in a vehicle crash Tuesday at a work site near downtown Farmington.

Burns was in satisfactory condition on Wednesday morning, said University of New Mexico Hospital spokeswoman Furhana Afrid.

Burns, 53, was pinned against a backhoe loader shortly after 10 a.m. Tuesday after a driver lost control of his pick-up truck outside the Farmington Fire Department, 301 N. Auburn Ave.

Firefighters provided aid at the scene, but Deputy Fire Chief David Burke said Burns suffered severe wounds to his lower extremities. Burns was first transported to San Juan Regional Medical Center and then flown to UNM Hospital in Albuquerque.
City Manager Rob Mayes said Tuesday that Burns is an employee in the city's Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs department. He said the work crew was improving landscape outside the fire department at the time of the crash.

Farmington police Sgt. David Karst identified Shaun Williams as the driver of the pick-up truck. Williams, 21, was cited at the scene for allegedly driving on a revoked license and careless driving.

Williams told The Daily Times on Tuesday that he had two puppies in the front seat of the pick-up truck at the time of the crash. He said a puppy crawled into his lap, which caused him to lose control of the vehicle.

Steve Garrison covers crime and courts for The Daily Times. He can be reached at 505-564-4644.

Source :
City employee recovers after crash at work site