diff --git a/ride/chat/send_message.php b/ride/chat/send_message.php
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..fc9eda8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/ride/chat/send_message.php
@@ -0,0 +1,41 @@
+<?php
+// File: send_message.php
+// Location: intaleq_v1/ride/chat/send_message.php
+require_once __DIR__ . '/../../connect.php';
+
+error_log("--- [send_message.php] Received new chat message logging request ---");
+
+$ride_id         = filterRequest("ride_id");
+$sender_id       = filterRequest("sender_id");
+$receiver_id     = filterRequest("receiver_id");
+$sender_type     = filterRequest("sender_type");
+$message_content = filterRequest("message_content");
+
+if (empty($ride_id) || empty($sender_id) || empty($receiver_id) || empty($sender_type) || empty($message_content)) {
+    error_log("❌ [send_message.php] Missing required fields.");
+    jsonError("All fields (ride_id, sender_id, receiver_id, sender_type, message_content) are required.");
+    exit();
+}
+
+if (!in_array($sender_type, ['passenger', 'driver'])) {
+    error_log("❌ [send_message.php] Invalid sender_type: $sender_type");
+    jsonError("sender_type must be either 'passenger' or 'driver'.");
+    exit();
+}
+
+try {
+    $stmt = $con->prepare("
+        INSERT INTO `ride_chat_logs` 
+            (`ride_id`, `sender_id`, `receiver_id`, `sender_type`, `message_content`, `created_at`)
+        VALUES (?, ?, ?, ?, ?, NOW())
+    ");
+    $stmt->execute([$ride_id, $sender_id, $receiver_id, $sender_type, $message_content]);
+    
+    error_log("✅ [send_message.php] Saved message successfully for ride_id: $ride_id");
+    jsonSuccess(null, "Message saved successfully.");
+
+} catch (PDOException $e) {
+    error_log("❌ [send_message.php] Database Error: " . $e->getMessage());
+    jsonError("Database error: " . $e->getMessage());
+}
+?>