On July 13, around 5:51 pm, the New Mexico State Police investigated a fatal crash on Interstate 40 eastbound near mile marker 32 east of Gallup.
The initial investigation revealed a blue 2015 Kenworth tractor trailer was traveling east on I-40 near mile marker 32. A red 1997 Freightliner tractor trailer and a white 2019 Kenworth tractor trailer were stopped in the right lane of I-40 near mile marker 32 due to construction.
For reasons unknown, the driver of the blue Kenworth tractor trailer swerved to the right shoulder and collided into the trailer of the red Freightliner. As the blue Kenworth continued traveling in the shoulder lane, it struck a white 2019 Kenworth. The 2015 Kenworth came to rest engulfed in flames. The driver, who was identified Phillip Webb, 36, of Apple Valley, California was trapped in the semi. Good Samaritans and New Mexico State Police officers who arrived on scene attempted to extract the driver out of the semi, but were unsuccessful due to the damage and size of the fire.
Webb sustained fatal injuries in the crash and was pronounced deceased by the Office of the Medical Examiner.
The driver of the red 1997 Freightliner and white 2019 Kenworth tractor trailer were not injured. Alcohol does not appear to be a factor and seatbelts appear to have been properly utilized. No additional information is available.
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