A Wyoming college student and mother says a commercial truck driver’s quick reaction saved her from a potentially fatal head-on crash on state Highway 210 on Monday.
The near-miss happened around 7:30 a.m. on the highway commonly known as Happy Jack Road, a winding route between Cheyenne and Laramie.
Winnie Brockman, a college student driving into Cheyenne for class, said she was traveling along a curved section near the Bunkhouse when she suddenly encountered a dangerous passing situation unfolding ahead.
“I just went back to college, on my way to class at 7:30 this morning driving into Cheyenne from Road 210 near The Bunkhouse on one of those curved turns,” she said.
She said a white SUV attempted to pass another vehicle on the curve, forcing all drivers into a split-second situation on a stretch of road known for limited visibility.
Winnie said the vehicles came close to what could have been a head-on collision before drivers were able to react and avoid impact.
“We both pulled over, and the other car zipped right through the middle,” she said.
She credited the driver of what she believes was a dump truck for recognizing the danger and acting to prevent the crash by slowing down and moving onto the shoulder, creating enough space for the passing SUV to correct course.
“I thought I was going to die,” Brockman said.
Split-Second Decision
Brockman said she immediately reacted by pulling as far right as possible when she realized what was happening.
“I just had the thought to get to the right as far as I could,” she said. “I’ve had so many scary experiences on that road, but that was the worst one."
The moment hit especially close to home for her, she said, because of a family tragedy. Brockman's mother was killed in a head on collision on a similar stretch of Wyoming highway in 2019.
“My mom actually passed away in a head-on collision, so that went through my mind that it could’ve gone differently,” she said. “People need to pay attention on these highways.”
Brockman also said she has two young children at home, which immediately intensified her fear during the incident.
“It was one of the first things that went through my mind,” she said. “It was scary.”
Safety Concerns
Brockman said she shared her experience to urge drivers to think twice before attempting risky passes on two-lane highways.
“Think twice before you go to pass someone,” she said. "Are you really in that big of a hurry? This is someone’s loved one that you’re passing. I lost my mom that way, and there’s no reason I need to lose my life that way, too."
The Wyoming Highway Patrol reports 31 highway traffic fatalities so far in 2026.
Officials say most serious crashes in the state are tied to driver behaviors, including speeding, inattention, and fatigue.
The stretch of Highway 210 Brockman was on is known for sharp curves, elevation changes, and limited sight distance — conditions that can quickly turn passing mistakes into head-on collision risks.
Kolby Fedore can be reached at kolby@cowboystatedaily.com.
