SOCORRO COUNTY, N.M. -- Family members are in shock after two cousins traveling in opposite directions collide and the impact kills them both.

If happened Monday afternoon neat Lemitar. Former Socorro County Sheriff, Tom Zimmerman, was riding his motorcycle in the northbound lanes. His cousin, Deborah Hughes, was in the opposite lanes traveling from Arizona to visit her Dad. She lost control, crossed the median, hit a semi-truck and spun into the motorcycle carrying her cousin.

Now family members are asking how something like this could happen.

"You can't describe it, of all the vehicles that travel up and down the interstate, and to have this happen," said Mark Mercer, Zimmerman's nephew.

He happened to be working with the sheriff's department trying to control traffic after the accident occurred. It wasn't until hours later that he realized that the cousins killed were his very own relatives.

The family says they're leaning on each other to get through this tough time.

A memorial has been scheduled for Zimmerman. Those wishing to pay their respects are welcome to attend. It will be held Friday at 10 a.m. at the Macy Center at New Mexico Tech.

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