MARCH 21, 2025|
Photo – Wyoming Highway Patrol cruiser – Bigfoot99 file photo
On Thursday, Wyoming Highway Patrol released more information about the fatal crash that closed Interstate 80 outside of Rawlins last weekend.
On Friday, March 14th, at around 11:00 a.m., the Rawlins Police Department issued a social media post stating traffic from Interstate 80 was being routed through the city due to a wreck. Residents were told to expect additional traffic along the Business Route of I-80, including Spruce and Cedar Streets.
The following morning, Saturday, March 15th, city residents faced another round of detoured traffic after a crash involving multiple semi-trucks closed Interstate 80 again.
Then, at 10:00 a.m. Saturday morning, the Rawlins Police Department issued a social media post about a serious crash at exit 215 on I-80.
Wyoming Highway Patrol has provided additional details about Saturday’s crash. In a written statement to Bigfoot99, Trooper Ryan Gerdes reported at approximately 8:57 a.m., troopers responded to a collision involving two semi-trucks hauling trailers at milepost 215 east of Rawlins.
The incident occurred west of the overpass, blocking both eastbound lanes and shutting down the interstate for about seven and a half hours.
Trooper Gerdes wrote, “47-year-old Borys Bakhtiarov from Washington state, a driver for Oregon-based VJR Express, lost control of his truck while driving west on I-80. Bakhtiarov’s semi-truck began to spin and travelled across the center median, taking out approximately 100 feet of guardrail, 300 feet of cable barrier, and 22 cable barrier posts. Veering into the eastbound lanes, Bakhtiarov crashed into a semi-truck travelling in the opposite direction. The other truck, driven by 63-year-old James Byars, was hauling double trailers and sustained extensive damage as result of the impact. Byars, and his co-driver, 70-year-old Mary Couch, both from Alabama, were trapped in the cab of the vehicle, suffering unspecified injuries.”
Byars was extricated from the vehicle and taken by ambulance to Carbon County Memorial Hospital. Highway Patrol troopers attempted CPR on Couch, who was in the sleeper berth section of the truck cab. Despite the troopers’ efforts, Couch succumbed to her injuries at the scene.
Troopers arrested Bakhtiarov, who did not speak English, for Misdemeanor Homicide by Vehicle and Failing to Maintain a Single Lane of Travel. Snowy and icy roads are being considered as possible contributing factors to the incident.
On Monday, March 17th, Bakhtiarov appeared in Carbon County Circuit Court and, through the use of an interpreter, pleaded not guilty to both the Misdemeanor Homicide by Vehicle and the Failing to Maintain a Single Lane of Travel charges.
If convicted, Bakhtiarov could face up to one year in jail, a fine of up to $2,000, or both.
The Wyoming Highway Patrol would like to recognize the Carbon County Sheriff’s Office, the Rawlins Police Department, and responding fire and EMS units from Rawlins and Carbon County for their assistance with Saturday’s crash.
