(Lander, WY) – County Coroner Mark Stratmoen shared his office’s update, which covers data up to May 5th.
The total number of cases so far this year is at 47, just four more than this time last year at 43.
Of these fatalities 15 were accidental, over twice the amount from this time last year. This spike in accidental deaths is mostly due to traffic fatalities, totalling at 7. There was only 1 by this time in 2020.
According to Stratmoen’s report, 6 of the 7 traffic deaths involved drugs or alcohol.
34% of the total fatalities this year were drug and alcohol related, 12 of which involved alcohol, 5 methamphetamine, 4 cannabis, and 2 pharmaceutical.
Deaths by suicide are down from 2020, with only 2 reported to date in 2021.