CASPER — High winds are being investigated as a possible contributing factor of a one-vehicle rollover that claimed the life of a Wisconsin woman, according to the Wyoming Highway Patrol (WHP).
On January 27 a fatal crash occurred around milepost 106 on Wyoming 220 west of Casper, Wyoming, the WHP press release states. At 9:20 am, WHP troopers were notified of a one-vehicle rollover.
A 2004 Western Star tractor-trailer was headed west on Wyoming 220 when the driver lost control due to a strong wind gust. The commercial truck exited the right side of the road and overturned before sliding down an embankment.
The driver of the Western Star has been identified as 59-year-old Elmwood, Wisconsin, resident Lawrence Hughes. Hughes was wearing a seatbelt and transported to the Wyoming Medical Center for injuries sustained in the crash. The passenger has been identified as 59-year-old Elmwood, Wisconsin, resident Machael Hughes. She was wearing a seatbelt and succumbed to her injuries at the scene of the crash.
High winds are being investigated as a possible contributing factor.
This is the 9th fatality on Wyoming’s roadways in 2021 compared to 3 in 2020, 14 in 2019, and 5 in 2018 to date.
