According to the New Mexico State Police, the collision occurred about a mile north of the Northwest Loop. A southbound semi-truck reportedly lost control, crossed into the northbound lanes, and collided with an SUV carrying two women.
Berta, who was driving the SUV, died as a result of the crash. Her 32-year-old passenger was injured but was not believed to have suffered life-threatening injuries. The driver of the semi-truck was not injured.
Investigators said heavy rain and difficult road conditions appeared to have contributed to the collision. The circumstances surrounding the crash remain part of the investigation.
But beyond the details of the accident is the life of a woman whose absence will now be deeply felt by those who knew and loved her.
Berta Loretto was more than a name in a tragic headline. She was a cherished presence, a familiar face and someone whose life held meaning for family, friends and the wider Jemez community.
Her sudden passing leaves behind a grief that cannot easily be expressed in words. The ordinary moments shared with Berta—conversations, laughter, memories and time together—may now carry an even deeper significance for those left behind.
Some goodbyes arrive without warning, leaving families and communities struggling to understand how someone can be here one moment and gone the next. In the days ahead, those who loved Berta will carry her memory through the stories they share and the moments they will never forget.
As the Jemez community comes together to mourn, may family, friends and loved ones find strength in one another. May Berta’s memory remain a source of comfort during the difficult days ahead, and may the love surrounding her continue to live on in the hearts of everyone who knew her.
