ROSWELL, N.M. (AP) - A suspect who evaded authorities in New Mexico remains at large after surviving an explosion at a gas station that ended a police pursuit and injured a woman, authorities said.
Chaves County Deputy Jeremy Parmer declined to release the name of the male suspect, citing the ongoing investigation, the Roswell Daily Record reported.
The pursuit began Monday around 6 a.m. when authorities attempted to stop a stolen Ford pickup truck near U.S. Route 380, Roswell police spokesperson Todd Wildermuth said.
The suspect fled, driving at high speeds and ignoring traffic signs and signals before the officer canceled the chase to maintain public safety, Wildermuth said.
A county deputy continued the pursuit shortly after, which ended when the driver crashed into diesel and propane gas pumps at the Bell Gas Station resulting in an explosion, Sheriff Mike Herrington said.
A female employee at the gas station was taken to a hospital with third-degree burns to her arms, authorities said. The driver fled the scene and is still at large, police said.
The Roswell Fire Department extinguished the fire within 20 minutes, Wildermuth said.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the Chaves County sheriff’s office.
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