By Staff 5-24,2016
The Wyoming Highway Patrol says one person dead after a crash near Evanston. The crash on May 23rd has resulted in the death of 70 year old Colorado Springs, Colorado resident Janoah McWinn (female). The crash occurred at 10:55 p.m. on the 23rd near mile post 13 on Interstate 80 westbound approximately 9 miles east of Evanston.
The vehicle McWinn had been driving, a 2004 Ford Escape, was parked on the shoulder of I-80 on the westbound side of the interstate due to possible mechanical issues. McWinn’s exact location prior to the crash is still under investigation, but Troopers believe it is possible McWinn was outside of the vehicle prior to the crash. A westbound 2007 Hino straight truck, driven by 39 year old Rock Springs, Wyoming resident Justin Chadwick, came upon the parked Ford and crashed into it in a rear-end type crash. Chadwick was preparing to pull over to check on a mechanical issue with his vehicle before the crash occurred.
McWinn sustained fatal injuries on scene. Chadwick was wearing his seat belt and was not injured.
Driver inattention is being investigated as a contributing factor in this crash that marked the 21st highway fatality in Wyoming for 2016. There were 48 fatalities during this same time period in 2015.
The investigation is still ongoing.