Associated Press - November 4, 2009 7:25 PM ET

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) - The state Court of Appeals has overturned the convictions of a Wagon Mound man for the deaths of 5 people in a 2004 rollover traffic accident.

The court reversed Mario Trujillo's convictions of 4 vehicular homicide counts and one count of child abuse resulting in death. A new trial was ordered.

The court said a district judge didn't give a proper instruction to the jury. Trujillo received a 36-year prison sentence. The court on Wednesday upheld his drunken driving conviction.

The victims were passengers in Trujillo's truck and included his brother. The accident happened near Watrous.

Trujillo contended a pavement drop-off contributed to the accident. Prosecutors blamed the accident on Trujillo's intoxication.

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