WRIGHT, Wyo. — A Wyoming man died Monday in a crash on Wyoming Highway 387 in Campbell County, according to a preliminary report released by the Wyoming Highway Patrol.
What happened
The patrol report identifies the victim as 34-year-old Jacob Harding. The collision occurred at milepost 142.4, near Wright. Investigators say a Kenworth combination commercial truck had stopped and was waiting for traffic to clear because it was preparing to turn left onto a private road when a Ford pickup approached from the rear and struck the truck’s passenger-side rear.
The pickup then ran off the road to the right and came to a stop. Patrol personnel reported that road conditions were dry at the time. Authorities are looking into driver inattention as a possible contributing factor. The report also notes that seat belts were not in use.
Investigation and public notice
The Wyoming Highway Patrol described the information it released as preliminary and cautioned that details may change as the investigation continues. No additional details about the identities of any occupants of the Kenworth or any citations have been released.
- Location: Wyoming Highway 387, milepost 142.4, near Wright
- Victim: 34-year-old Jacob Harding
- Vehicles involved: Kenworth combination commercial unit and a Ford pickup
- Conditions: Roadway dry; seat belts not used
- Investigative focus: Possible driver inattention
Local impact and context
Crashes involving commercial vehicles on rural state highways raise safety and logistical concerns for Campbell County. Even when road surfaces are dry, the mix of heavy trucks and smaller passenger vehicles can increase the severity of wrecks, particularly when one vehicle is stopped to make a turn. The patrol’s identification of seat-belt nonuse underscores ongoing risks tied to occupant protection on Wyoming roadways.
Residents and motorists traveling in northeastern Wyoming are reminded that the Wyoming Highway Patrol is the lead agency for on-scene collision investigations and that preliminary releases are intended to provide an initial account while evidence is still being collected and analyzed.
| Detail | Reported information |
|---|---|
| Location | WY-387, milepost 142.4 (near Wright) |
| Timeframe | Reported incident on Monday (preliminary report) |
| Road conditions | Dry |
| Contributing factors | Under investigation: possible driver inattention; seat belts not in use |
The Highway Patrol did not provide additional narrative or quotes in its preliminary release. Officials have not indicated whether charges will be filed; that determination will depend on findings from the ongoing inquiry.
News Block will update this story as the Wyoming Highway Patrol releases more information.
