Road rage stabbing in Flora Vista leaves community shaken, prompts safety concerns

A confrontation at the intersection of New Mexico Highway 516 and County Road 350 on Saturday escalated into a stabbing, leaving one man injured and a Farmington resident facing felony charges. William Adams, 40, was arrested in connection with the incident and charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, a third degree felony, and tampering with evidence, a fourth degree felony. He was released into Pretrial Services and is set for a preliminary examination at 8:30 a.m. on December 18 in Aztec Magistrate Court.

San Juan County Sheriff deputies were dispatched at 2:16 p.m. after reports of an altercation at a stoplight. Court records state that Graham McMullen was stabbed three times in the left side following an argument over driving. Witnesses and video evidence were not clear on who initiated the physical confrontation, though records note that McMullen "appeared to lunge toward Adams first."

Accounts collected by investigators present conflicting narratives. McMullen told deputies that Adams was the aggressor, that Adams would not let him pass and that Adams exited his vehicle first and threw the first punch. Adams told investigators that McMullen had been tailing him closely and tried to run him off the road, and that when McMullen exited his truck and came toward his vehicle he "grabbed" a knife and in the struggle stabbed McMullen "three times in the left side," the statement of probable cause says. Court records also report that Adams' wife told investigators her husband said he "just stabbed someone" and "threw the knife out."

When questioned about leaving the scene without calling for help, Adams reportedly said "(Expletive) him, he started it," and told officers he "had a lot on his mind" because his "dog had just died," court records state.

For residents of San Juan County this incident underscores persistent concerns about road rage and public safety on busy local routes. Beyond criminal proceedings, the case highlights broader issues including the availability of mental health support, violence prevention measures and the challenges of responding to conflicts in rural communities where emergency resources may be distant. The upcoming magistrate hearing will provide more public details as the county watches how law enforcement and the courts address a violent encounter that began on a stretch of familiar roadway.