Posted 7-01-09

Wyoming Highway Fatalities #57 & 58

(Wyoming Highway Patrol)

LOCATION OF THE CRASH
Milepost #: 4.2 Time of Crash: 7:23 a.m.
Highway: WYO 789 Date of Crash: 6/30/09
*Location Info: 4.2 miles north of Lander in Fremont County

NUMBER OF VEHICLES INVOLVED: 2

NUMBER OF PERSONS INVOLVED: 3

DRIVERS/PASSENGERS
********************FATALITIES*************************
NAME: Joshua K. Espinosa AGE: 30 SEX: M
CITY & STATE: Lander, WY
SUBJECT WAS DRIVER OF: Vehicle #1 YEAR: 2004 MAKE: Ford MODEL: F350 pickup
DATE/TIME OF DEATH: 9:53 a.m. at Lander Valley Medical Center
SEAT BELT USE: No

NAME: Juan M. Herrera AGE: 34 SEX: M
CITY & STATE: Ft. Washakie, WY
SUBJECT WAS PASSENGER IN: Vehicle #2
DATE/TIME OF DEATH: 7:23 a.m. at the scene
SEAT BELT USE: No

*******************INJURED/NON-INJURED***************
NAME: Matthew Jimenez AGE: 22 SEX: M
CITY & STATE: Lander, WY
INJURIES: Life Flighted to Wyoming Medical Center in Casper, WY
SUBJECT WAS DRIVER OF: Vehicle #2 YEAR: 2003 MAKE: Ford MODEL: F250 pickup
SEAT BELT USE: Yes

NARRATIVE
At the time of the crash the roadways were dry and the weather conditions were clear. The roadway in the area of the crash is flat with clear visibility. Evidence at the scene indicates Jimenez was southbound and Espinosa was northbound on WYO 789. Both vehicles collided head-on in the center of the roadway. After impact, the Jimenez vehicle caught fire however the fire was extinguished by a responding firefighter. Jimenez was extricated by fire department personnel and transported to Lander Valley Medical Center where he was later Life Flighted to Wyoming Medical Center. The crash caused the closure of WYO 789 north of Lander for approximately three hours while Troopers conducted their investigation, gathered evidence and cleared the roadway of debris.

The crash investigation continues at this time while Troopers attempt to determine why both vehicles impacted in the center of the roadway.