A trucker lost his life on Monday in a multi-vehicle accident after a motorist attempted to make a dangerous pass alongย WY 230.
According to the Wyoming Highway Patrol (WHP), the deadly crash occurred at approximately 1 p.m. near milepost 19 on eastbound WY 230.
Investigators sayย a Ford pickup, driven byย 65-year-old Laramie resident Steve H. Bottger, was stopped in the eastbound lane and waiting for oncoming traffic to clear to make a left turn.
Traveling eastbound behind Bottger was a 2000 Peterbilt tractor-trailer, operated byย 52-year-old Annebella, UT resident Matthew R. Anderson.
Anderson was followed by a 2012 GMCย pickup driven byย 37-year-old Laramie resident Brandon M. Chimenti.
At the same time, a 2015 Peterbilt tractor-trailer, operated byย 56-year-old Bayard, NE resident William H. Bennett, was operating westbound.
Investigators sayย Chimentiย pulled out into the westbound lane of travel to pass Anderson and was unaware Bottger stopped in front.
WHP say Chimenti completed the pass of Andersonโs big rig, but was unable to avoid striking the rear of Bottgerโs pickup as he attempted to avoid a head-on collision with Bennettโs tractor-trailer.
The impact of the collision forced Bottgerโs Ford pickup into the westbound lane of travel and into the path of Bennettโs Big Truck.
The two vehicles collided head-on, WHP says.
That collision caused Bennett to lose control of his Peterbilt and enter the eastbound lane of travel colliding head-on with Andersonโs Peterbilt.
After this collision occurred, Bennettโs rig rolled one time, WHP says.
Anderson died at the scene, according to officials.
Bottger, Bennett and Chimenti were each transported to a nearby hospital.
No update has been made available on their conditions.
WHP says โdriver inattention, unsafe passing, and speed on the part of Chimentiโ are being investigated as possible contributing factors.
No charges have been filed at this time.
Source.ย Transportation Nation
