Tuesday, SEPTEMBER 23, 2025 |
Photo – Crash scene – Courtesy Wyoming Highway Patrol
The Wyoming Highway Patrol, on Monday, reported the crash between two semi-truck commercial vehicles that closed down Interstate 80 between Laramie and Rawlins, most of the last Thursday, was the result of driver inattention.
According to the Highway Patrol, a 2022 Freightliner was parked on the side of the highway, on the shoulder, near mile marker 274 north of Elk Mountain. A Volvo combination unit was eastbound on I-80 when it crossed the white line into the shoulder and struck the Freightliner’s trailer.
The impact of the crash caused the Freightliner to roll onto its passenger side. The Volvo continued past the Freightliner before leaving the roadway to the right (north) and catching fire. The crash, and subsequent incidents, along with the effort to investigate and clear the crash led to the closure of I-80 East bound for most of the day. I-80 finally opened around 7:00 p.m.
One person died reportedly at the crash scene.
According to Highway Patrol, a passenger in the Volvo, Ralph Pimmentel III, 55, of Poplar Bluff, MO, died at the scene. The driver of the Volvo was airlifted by helicopter and flown to Banner Health in Casper. The driver of the Freightliner was taken by ground ambulance to Ivinson Memorial in Laramie and was treated and released.
Driver Inattention is being investigated as a primary factor in this crash. This investigation is still ongoing, and potential citations or charges are pending.
Currently, fatalities on Wyoming roadways stand at 87 on the year, compared to 76 in 2024, and 107 in 2023.
The Wyoming Highway Patrol reminds drivers that distracted driving kills. Minimize distractions while driving. Stay off your phone or tablet, do not text and drive.
