Crash in Wyoming kills one Utahn, injures several others

KEMMERER, Wyoming — A driver attempting to pass a semi-tractor trailer on US 30 in Kemmerer, Wyoming, died of injuries sustained when she hit another vehicle head-on.

The Wyoming Highway Patrol said Wendy W. Stapel, 55, was driving west on US 30 near milepost 43 when she attempted to pass the semi.

 

 

Another driver, in a 2008 Toyota Sienna, was traveling eastbound on US 30 when Stapel attempted to pass the truck. According to Wyoming troopers, both cars moved to the shoulder of the roadway in an attempt to avoid a collision. But the vehicles crashed head-on.

Stapel died after she was transported to South Lincoln Medical Center.

Stapel had four other people in her car at the time of the crash. They have been identified as Kearns resident Ashlee Johnson, 27, and three unnamed juvenile passengers. All were properly restrained, said Wyoming Highway Patrol.

The driver of the Toyota was identified as Trevor Jackson, 39, from Richmond, Utah.  He was wearing a seatbelt and was transported by helicopter to the University of Utah for injuries. 

There were four passengers in the Toyota: Seantae Jackson, 37, of Richmond, Utah, Melissa Zelig, 37, of Salt Lake City, and two unnamed juvenile passengers.

The Wyoming Highway Patrol said the passengers were either flown to the University of Utah or transported by ground ambulance to South Lincoln Medical Center for their injuries.

According to Wyoming troopers, “inattention on the part of Stapel is being investigaged as a potential contributing factor” to the crash.

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