FEBRUARY 19, 2025|
Photo – View from east end of the westbound tunnel – Courtesy WYDOT
The City of Rawlins is mourning the loss of two young people killed last Friday in the Green River Tunnel crash.
The Wyoming Highway Patrol released the names of the victims on Tuesday afternoon.
Quentin Joseph Romero, 22, and Chris Johnson, age 20, were among the three killed in the horrific multi-vehicle crash.
Also sustaining injuries from the crash in the car in which Romero and Johnson were traveling was Daryn Macy. She was transported to a Salt Lake City Hospital.
Romero was a member of the Wyoming National Guard. Major General Gregory Porter, The Adjutant General of the Wyoming National Guard said the young man’s “presence in our ranks will be deeply missed. We extend our deepest sympathies to his family during this difficult time.”
Romero’s obituary states that the young man was employed at HF Sinclair Refinery as an operator.
A Celebration of Life for Romero is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, starting at 11 a.m. in the Jeffrey Center, 315 W Pine St, Rawlins, Wyoming.
The second victim in the crash from Rawlins, Christopher William Johnson, was born on June 11, 2004. Johnson is described as “a beacon of joy and enthusiasm.” He played on the Rawlins Varsity Soccer team. He was an athlete at LCCC where he was pursuing a degree in criminal justice. Johnson worked at Sinclair Refinery at the Reform. An account in his name is scheduled to be opened today at Bank of Commerce in Rawlins. A Venmo account is also open in his name.
In a statement, WYDOT Director Darrin Westby said, “Our deepest sympathies and prayers go out to the community of Rawlins and to the families, friends, and loved ones of all three of these individuals.”
The third fatality in Friday’s tunnel crash was Harmanjeet Singh, 30, of Nova Scotia, Canada.
Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater County in Rock Springs reportedly treated 18 injuries from the crash. No additional details are available.
Meanwhile, in Green River, state highway crews continue their work to move Interstate 80 traffic off the streets of the city and back onto the highway. The interstate has been closed since the deadly crash on Friday.
The Wyoming Department of Transportation’s contractor, DeBernardi Construction, has placed about 3,000 ft. of barrier. As of Tuesday afternoon, road crews expected to place an additional 2,000 ft. by the end of the day.
The goal on Monday was to have two-way traffic move through a detour through the westbound lane of the tunnel where Friday’s crash occurred.
As part of the work, Contractor S & L Industrial installed traffic control, signage and other temporary infrastructure to assist with the head-to-head traffic. WYDOT expects traffic to be switched over on Thursday.
WYDOT is also starting the process of soliciting contractors to clean debris and soot in the westbound tunnel, the first step in the long process of restoring it to normal operations.
WYDOT advises that people stay clear of the westbound tunnel where the crash occurred because of falling debris and concerns about air quality.
