The driver of a tractor-trailer rig who caused a fatal accident in Chaparral Monday night remained on the loose Tuesday, New Mexico State Police said.

The accident occurred about 6:10 p.m. on State Road 404 at mile post 6. State police spokesman Sgt. Andrew Tingwall said the rig, which was not pulling a load, and another car were traveling east and attempted to pass an eastbound car on the two-lane road. When the rig attempted to pass, it collided with a westbound Ford Ranger pickup.

A passenger in the pickup was thrown onto the roadway and was run over by the rig and dragged along the road. The rig eventually came to rest on the eastbound shoulder. The victim was then run over a by another vehicle traveling east. The body was dragged a second time for about 100 feet, Tingwall said.

Both the second vehicle and the rig’s driver left the scene. Ting wall said the U.S. Border Patrol and the Doña Ana County Sheriff’s Department were called to help look for the rig’s driver.

Officials have yet to obtain a description of the second vehicle that hit the man.

Tingwall said the driver of the pickup was airlifted to Thomason Hospital, where his condition was unknown Tuesday. The identities of those involved in Monday’s accident were not available.

Anyone with information on Monday’s accident is asked to call New Mexico State Police at 505-524-6111.

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