An 89-year-old Wyoming man died in a single-vehicle rollover on state Highway 159 north of Torrington early Monday morning, Dec. 30, Oil City News reports.
According to a Wyoming Highway Patrol (WHP) report, a Toyota RAV4 was discovered in a field near the junction of Highway 159 and Buttermilk Road (County Road 47 D) sometime after 3 a.m. Preliminary findings suggest that speed and driver inattention contributed to the crash, which occurred on a sharp curve marked with signs recommending a 40 mph exit speed.
The report indicates that the vehicle left the roadway at the curve and traveled between roadways before striking an earthen embankment. The Toyota RAV4 became airborne, crossing Highway 159 near mile marker 3.6.
“The Toyota remained airborne as it entered a field, and after impacting the ground, it pitched forward and began to roll end over end,” the WHP report stated.
The driver, identified as Melvin White, was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash. Wet road conditions may have been a factor, but the exact time of the crash remains uncertain.
White’s death brings Wyoming’s 2024 roadway fatalities to 108, according to WHP statistics. This marks a decrease compared to 144 fatalities in 2023 and 134 in 2022 but is close to the 111 recorded in 2021.
The WHP continues to emphasize the importance of safe driving practices, including adhering to speed limits, paying attention to road conditions, and wearing seat belts. With sharp curves and potentially hazardous winter conditions, drivers are urged to exercise caution, particularly on rural highways.
Further details of the crash remain under investigation.
