Troopers seeking purple truck in fatal I-77 hit-and-run in Chester Co.

Authorities say they are looking for a tractor-trailer that might have been involved in a hit-and-run on Interstate 77 early Monday morning that killed one person and left another injured.

At 11 a.m. – more than seven hours after the crash – one lane of northbound I-77 was closed to traffic as troopers continued their investigation. That lane could remain closed until 3 p.m., the Highway Patrol said.

The crash happened at about 3:45 a.m. at the 59 mile marker on I-77, Lance Cpl. Gary Miller of the Highway Patrol said. A 2000 Ford Explorer and a tractor-trailer were traveling north when the truck apparently struck the SUV in the rear.

The driver of the Explorer, a 36-year-old Orangeburg man, lost control of the vehicle, Miller said, sending it into the median where it overturned.

A passenger in the Explorer, who was not wearing a seat belt, was killed, Miller said. His identity will be released by the Chester County Coroner’s Office after the family has been notified. The driver, who was wearing a seat belt, was taken to Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte for treatment of injuries.

The vehicle that struck the Explorer, which is believed to be a tractor-trailer, continued north without stopping, Miller said. Troopers say they’re looking for a purple commercial truck with damage to the right front corner and possibly the wheel well.

Anyone with information regarding this crash is asked to call the Highway Patrol at 843-661-4705 or 800-768-1505.

Check back for updates.

This story was originally published February 8, 2016 at 12:40 PM with the headline "Troopers seeking purple truck in fatal I-77 hit-and-run in Chester Co.."