Driver Inattention Being Investigated In Fatal Accidents

Driver Inattention Being Investigated In Fatal Accidents

WYOMING — A fatal crash west of Casper, Wyoming on June 17th has resulted in the deaths of Casper residents Carol Plummer, a 56-year-old female, and George Rott, a 48-year-old male. The crash occurred at 4:12 p.m. on June 17th near mile post 2.8 on Wyoming State Highway 257 at the intersection with Robertson Road approximately two miles west of Casper.

A 2007 Jeep Liberty, driven by Carol Plummer, was traveling south on Robertson Road. A 2005 Dodge pickup truck was towing a horse trailer, driven by 48-year-old Damon Mason of Medicine Bow, Wyoming, was traveling west on WY 257. A 2013 International commercial truck was towing a trailer, driven by George Rott, traveling east on WY 257.

The southbound Jeep failed to stop or slow for the stop sign on Robertson Road at the intersection with WY 257. The westbound Dodge on WY 257 was unable to avoid the southbound Jeep with the collision between the two vehicles sending the Jeep into the south ditch as the Jeep rolled. The collision between the Dodge and the Jeep also caused the horse trailer being towed by the Dodge to jackknife. The eastbound International commercial truck crashed into the jackknifed horse trailer causing the horse trailer to separate from the Dodge.

Advertisement - Story continues below...

Carol Plummer was transported by ground ambulance to Wyoming Medical Center in Casper where she succumbed to her injuries. She was wearing her seat at the time of the crash.

George Rott sustained fatal injuries on scene. He was not wearing his seat belt at the time of the crash.

Damon Mason was not wearing his seat belt but avoided injury.

A passenger in the International truck, 43-year-old Bar Nunn, Wyoming resident James Benson, and a passenger in the Dodge truck, 30-year-old Hanna, Wyoming resident Morgan Bertolas (female), were both not buckled in during the crash. Both passengers were transported by ground ambulance to Wyoming Medical Center. Benson was hospitalized. Bertolas was treated and released.

Three horses in the trailer being towed by the Dodge were also killed in the crash.

Driver inattention is being investigated as a contributing factor in this crash that marked the 35th and 36th highway fatalities in Wyoming for 2016. There were 59 fatalities during this same time-period in 2015.

In addition to the accident on WY 257 a fatal crash southeast of Sheridan, Wyoming on June 17th has resulted in the death of 60-year-old Arvada, Wyoming resident Donald Malli. The crash occurred at 5:00 p.m. on the 17th near mile post 55 on US Highway 14/16 approximately 55 miles southeast of Sheridan.

Malli was driving a 2002 Buick Park Avenue passenger car traveling west on US 14/16. The Buick failed to properly negotiate a curve in the highway, was overcorrected, crossed the centerline and left the highway. The car tripped and rolled in the ditch. Malli was ejected during the rollover as he was not wearing his seat belt.

Malli sustained fatal injuries on scene.

Driver inattention is being investigated as a contributing factor in this crash that marked the 37th highway fatality in Wyoming for 2016. There were 59 fatalities during this same period in 2015.