Official: New Mexico Health Secretary Ward Dies in Car Crash

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — The New Mexico Department of Health says Secretary Retta Ward has died in a car crash. Health spokesman Kenny Vigil says the crash happened Thursday morning but he did not release any details, saying only that the secretary succumbed to her injuries. He recalled her as an exceptional leader who was passionate about improving the health of all New Mexicans. He said department employees were heartbroken about the news. Ward was tapped to lead the department by Gov. Susana Martinez in 2013. She had previously served as secretary of the state's Aging and Long-term Services Department.