A motorcyclist is hospitalized but expected to recover after getting rear-ended by a Dodge Durango northwest of Cheyenne on Tuesday evening.
At 9:18 p.m. Tuesday, the Wyoming Highway Patrol (WHP) got a call about an incident involving a vehicle and a motorcycle. It occurred near the intersection of Horse Creek Road (Wyoming Highway 211) and Frentheway Road.
“The motorcycle driver was heading westbound and slowed down to around 35 mph to turn onto Frentheway Road,” Aaron Brown, WHP’s public information officer, told Cowboy State Daily. “The Dodge Durango was also westbound and was unable to slow down before striking the bike from behind.”
The motorcycle, a Yamaha R6, was hit so forcefully that it embedded deep into the front of the Durango. Brown didn’t know how fast the Durango was moving when it struck the Yamaha, but the speed limit on Wyoming Highway 211 is 70 mph.
The motorcycle rider was thrown clear from the force of the impact and seriously injured.
“The victim was taken to Cheyenne Regional Medical Center,” Brown said. “I can’t speculate on the types of injuries they received, but they are expected to recover."
WHP did not release the identity of the victim or the driver of the Durango.
Fatigue Failure
An investigation into the incident is ongoing. Based on interviews conducted at the scene, WHP troopers believe that driver fatigue may have contributed to the crash.
“The driver of the Durango told our troopers they didn't notice the motorcycle, and they were unable to slow down,” Brown said. “From what we understand, the driver was fatigued at the time, and that's what we're looking at as the primary cause.”
No citations or charges have been issued yet, but the severity of fatigued driving cannot be overstated. Brown said driving while fatigued or sleepy is an incredibly dangerous decision.
“Driving fatigued can be the same as driving impaired behind the wheel,” he said. "It can be just as dangerous and just as bad.”
Life Lessons Learned
While the Yamaha rider was seriously injured, the victim was wearing a helmet at the time of the incident. Brown and the WHP troopers strongly believe that the helmet saved the rider.
“The fact that the rider was wearing a helmet probably saved their life,” he said. “This incident is a big reminder to all motorcycle riders to wear their protective gear, jackets, gloves, boots, and especially helmets. It’s highly likely that this rider’s helmet saved their life.”
Meanwhile, the best way to avoid fatigued driving is for drivers to take it seriously and not overestimate their cognitive state before getting behind the wheel, Brown said. He urged fatigued drivers to stop and rest rather than tough it out.
“If you're fatigued or sleepy, find a safe place to pull over,” he said. “If there’s a wide shoulder, great. If there's a pullover, even better. If you can reach a rest stop or a gas station, that’s perfect. But pull over at a safe spot and rest until it’s safe, you’re not sleepy, and it’s safe for you to continue. Driving fatigued can be the same as driving impaired.”
Andrew Rossi can be reached at arossi@cowboystatedaily.com.
