New Mexico Secretary of State and Others Run Over Body

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) -- Secretary of State Dianna Duran's car was one of several that struck a man's body on a highway near Santa Fe after the pedestrian had been hit and killed a short time earlier by another vehicle, police said Friday.

In a statement, Duran said she was "shocked and saddened" over the accident and expressed her "thoughts and prayers" to the family of the victim, a 46-year-old man whose identity has not been released.

Santa Fe Police Capt. Aric Wheeler said the man was killed Thursday night while walking along a dark section of state Route 599 northwest of Santa Fe. He was in the center of one lane of the four-lane highway when he was struck by a car and apparently killed, Wheeler said.

Several other vehicles, including Duran's, then hit the body while it was on the road.

Because the pedestrian was in a lane of traffic, no drivers are facing charges, Wheeler said.

Several cars, including Duran's, are being examined by police as part of their investigation.

Duran said she was on her way home about 7:30 p.m. when she ran over what "appeared to be an animal that had been struck" while on the road.

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