Driver disappears after police release him following deadly roadside wreck with motorist

A truck driver failed to get in contact with police after a deadly wreck with a roadside motorist and has been missing ever since. 

The accident happened near Zuzax, New Mexico back in April along Interstate 40. The crash involved a semi truck driven by Jared Butler and a pickup towing a flatbed trailer driven by Antonio Aguilera. 

According to KRQE, Butler crashed into Aguilera’s pickup and trailer after Aguilera pulled over onto the side of the road. Aguilera was outside of his pickup at the time of the impact and was dragged underneath the semi truck, killing him. 

Witnesses described Aguilera as being “flung into the tree a little bit,” and investigating deputies described him as being “burned” from the accident. Other witnesses reported that Butler had been swerving prior to the crash and appeared to have been falling asleep. 

Body cam footage from the scene shows officers letting Butler go free from the scene on promises that he would get in contact with them the following day for an interview after the truck driver refused to speak to them without an attorney. 

“We’ll see if we can set a date tonight. If not, you’re going to have to call me tomorrow and we’re going to have to figure things out when we can meet,” the deputy in the video says.

Court documents show that Butler never got in contact with deputies. Now, four months later, officers are still searching for the truck driver, who is facing a vehicular homicide charge. 

A wrongful death lawsuit has been filed on behalf of Aguilera’s estate. No further information has been released.