Jesse Jones/Sandoval Signpost
The Village of Cuba is grieving the loss of a community leader and candidate for Village Council.
Tonya Sanchez, 44, a mother of four, tragically lost her life in a car accident on Feb. 19. Her 18 year-old daughter, Oceanus, was in the car and is currently hospitalized, undergoing recovery from multiple surgeries. Sanchez was running for an at large council seat for the Village of Cuba.
According to Lt. John Castañeda of the Sandoval County Sheriff’s Office, Sanchez was involved in a head-on collision on Highway 550, south of Cuba at mile marker 51. The incident is under investigation, although there is no suspicion of alcohol involvement.
Rick Romero, who is Sanchez’s stepfather and also serves as Chief of the Cuba Fire Rescue, was the first responder at the scene of the accident.
“She always had a smile and loved her community with all her heart and she loved her children so much,” said Anna Romero, mother of Sanchez.
Sanchez was the director/supervisor for Presbyterian Medical Services in Cuba and a beloved member of the community.
According to her mother Anna, Sanchez regularly assisted elderly community members by providing transportation to and from Albuquerque for medical care and delivering food whenever necessary. Additionally, she dedicated several days each week to visit one of her elderly patients at an Albuquerque facility, offering care and delivering personal belongings to ensure their comfort.
She actively engaged in various programs aimed at enhancing the health and economic well-being of her community.
According to her mother and stepfather, she was involved in several initiatives, including efforts to secure grants for new housing facilities tailored for medical providers who were relocating to her area. Sanchez actively pursued opportunities to attract commercial entities such as gas stations to the village, recognizing the potential benefits for the community. Additionally, she played a pivotal role in establishing a monthly food pantry to support residents facing food insecurity.
Sanchez previously ran for Village Council in 2022 but lost by two votes. She remained undeterred and persisted in running once more.
“She wanted to help the community even more, to change the community for a better place,” said her mother.
The village clerk-treasurer, Vandora Casados, released a statement about Sanchez’s death and the election on the village’s Facebook page.
“Following consultation with the Office of the Secretary of State, it was determined that Sanchez’s name must remain on the ballot. In the event of Sanchez’s victory in the election, the responsibility of appointing someone to fill the position will fall upon the Mayor of Cuba, Denny Herrera.”
“If she would garner enough votes… I would be able to appoint somebody that I think would have the same view on what her goals were for the city,” said Herrera. “I think it would only be right to do something like that.”
Cuba’s municipal election is held on March 5.
Sanchez is survived by her four children — Oakley, Orion, Osiris, and Oceanus Putnam — as well as her mother and stepfather, Anna and Rick Romero.
The condition of the other driver is unknown.