(Platte County, WY) – On March 7th, 7:24 AM, a fatal crash occurred around milepost three on Wyoming 320 north of Wheatland, according to a release issued by the Wyoming Highway Patrol (WHP).
The deceased has been identified as 18-year-old Wheatland resident Karson Yorges.
According to the report, Yorges was headed north on Wyoming 320 when he lost control of the vehicle and entered the southbound lane, colliding with a commercial vehicle.
The roadways were snow and ice-covered at the time of the crash.
Yorges was not wearing a seatbelt, and succumbed to his injuries at the crash scene.
The driver of the semi has been identified as 44-year-old Fort Laramie resident Russell G. Smith, who was wearing a seatbelt and not injured in the crash.
The crash is still under investigation for potential contributing factors.
This is the 13th fatality on Wyoming’s roadways in 2022 compared to 18 in 2021, 11 in 2020, and 27 in 2019 to date.