<\/p>\n
A New Mexico man was in Southwest Memorial Hospital with serious injuries Thursday night after driving off of U.S. Highway 491 just west of Cortez near the IFA Country store.<\/p>\n
Michael Benally, 45, of Shiprock, jumped the curb of U.S. 491 in his Ford F-550 and drove into a ditch, hitting a rock, a speed limit sign and a highway sign, according to three witnesses, said Colorado State Trooper Tonja Cowan.<\/p>\n
The three witnesses were driving on the highway at the time.<\/p>\n
Benally\u2019s injuries included several broken bones, Cowan said.<\/p>\n
The front axle of the truck tore off in the crash, the state trooper said. The truck had New Mexico license plates.<\/p>\n
Officials do not suspect drugs or alcohol were involved, but they were unsure what caused Benally to drive off of the road, Cowan said. He was cited for careless driving.<\/p>\n
State troopers were unable to obtain Benally\u2019s account of the incident, as the \u201cadrenaline of the crash and the injuries hit him hard,\u201d Cowan said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe don\u2019t believe he was wearing a seat belt,\u201d Cowan said.<\/p>\n
Southbound U.S. 491 at the scene was temporarily closed after the crash, which occurred about 5 p.m. Thursday.<\/p>\n