A truck driver failed to contact police after a fatal crash with a motorist on the highway and has been missing ever since.
The accident took place near Zuzax, New Mexico, last April on Interstate 40. The collision involved a semi-truck driven by Jared Butler and a pickup truck towing a flatbed trailer, driven by Antonio Aguilera.
According to KRQE, Butler struck Aguilera’s pickup truck and trailer after Aguilera pulled over to the shoulder. Aguilera was outside his pickup truck at the time of the impact and was dragged under the semi-truck, which caused his death.
Witnesses described how Aguilera “was thrown a short distance into the tree,” and the officers investigating the case noted that he had “burns” from the accident. Other witnesses reported that Butler had been swerving before the crash and appeared to have fallen asleep.
Body camera footage recorded at the scene shows officers letting Butler go after he promised to contact them the next day for questioning, following the truck driver’s refusal to speak with them without a lawyer.
“We’ll see if we can set a date tonight. If not, you’ll have to call me tomorrow, and we’ll have to figure out when we can meet,” the officer says in the video.
Court documents reveal that Butler never contacted the officers. Now, four months later, police are still searching for the truck driver, who faces a charge of vehicular manslaughter.
A wrongful death lawsuit has been filed on behalf of Aguilera’s heirs. No further information has been provided.
