Lack of Seatbelt Use Cited in Double Fatality in Douglas

Tony Webster
By Staff

On the evening of November 5th, the Wyoming Highway Patrol investigated a double fatal crash within the city limits of Douglas, Wyoming. The two fatalities have been identified as Douglas residents Justin Morgan and Leo Herandez, both 17 years of age.

Around 7:35 p.m., Justin Morgan was driving a 2005 Ford Expedition southbound on Brownfield Road at the intersection with Richards Street in the city limits of Douglas. The Expedition traversed over a dip (water drain) in the road at the intersection at a high rate of speed and went airborne. Upon landing, Morgan lost control and the vehicle began to spin. During the spin, the SUV struck a power pole, tripped and rolled. Both males were not wearing their seat belts and were ejected.

As stated in a press release from the Douglas Police Department, a Douglas Police Officer had observed the SUV traveling at a high rate of speed before the crash. Events leading up to the crash are being investigated by the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation.

The investigation is still pending at this time. This crash marked the 125th and 126th highway fatalities in Wyoming for 2015 compared to 129 during this same time period in 2014.