ALBUQUERQUE, NM — A University of New Mexico cheerleader is still hospitalized after a crash in Albuquerque that killed her cousin and left the UNM community mourning two young women connected by family and campus life. Noelle Sanchez survived the wreck on Wednesday near the Big-I, while her cousin, Haylee, died in the collision.
The injury update was paired with a show of support from the university’s cheer and football programs at Saturday’s game, where both teams held a moment of silence. UNM also shared a message asking people to respect the family’s privacy while surrounding Sanchez with prayers and support.
What happened in the crash near the Big-I
The collision happened Wednesday near the Big-I, the major interchange in Albuquerque where traffic from several routes meets. Sanchez and her cousin were in the car when the crash occurred. Haylee was killed, while Sanchez lived and remained in the hospital afterward.
Beyond that basic account, no additional details about how the crash happened have been released in the information provided. The focus from UNM and supporters has been on Sanchez’s condition, the loss of her cousin, and the family’s need for privacy as the aftermath continues.
UNM teams observe a moment of silence at Saturday’s game
The University of New Mexico cheerleading and football teams acknowledged the tragedy before Saturday’s game with a moment of silence. That public gesture put the loss in front of the Lobo crowd and connected the team’s on-field event with what one of its members is facing off the field.
Sports programs often become gathering points after a tragedy, and this was a way for the teams to recognize Sanchez and her family without going into private medical details. The tribute came just days after the crash, underscoring how quickly the impact reached the broader UNM community.
University message asks for privacy and support
UNM also posted about Sanchez and her family on social media. The university said it would not share details about her recovery out of respect for the family’s privacy, but it asked the Lobo community to show love, support, and prayers in the days ahead.
The message reflected a careful balance between public concern and the family’s right to keep medical information private. UNM closed the post with a direct expression of care for Sanchez, writing, “We love you Noelle.”
The loss of Haylee and the immediate aftermath
Haylee’s death turned the crash into a broader family tragedy. Sanchez survived, but the collision took the life of her cousin and left the campus community responding to both grief and concern for her recovery. The relationship between the two victims made the loss especially personal for those following the situation.
For UNM supporters, the moment of silence and online message provided the earliest visible signs of collective mourning. The university has not shared further medical updates, and no additional details about the circumstances of the crash were included in the information released publicly.
How the Lobo community is being asked to respond
For now, the main request from UNM is straightforward: give the family space and keep Sanchez in mind. The university’s message urged the Lobo community to rally around her with compassion rather than speculation, and it made clear that her recovery details would remain private.
That approach leaves the focus on support rather than specifics as the family deals with the aftermath of a fatal crash. In the meantime, Sanchez remains in the hospital, and the UNM community continues to respond to the loss of her cousin and the uncertainty surrounding her recovery.
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