Six weeks after a commercial tanker failed to stop for traffic waiting at a construction zone west of Casper, triggering an eight-vehicle crash that killed two people and hurt eight others, no arrest has been made or criminal charges announced.
The Wyoming Highway Patrol says the June 26 crash remains under investigation but isn't saying what work remains or when that may be concluded.
Cowboy State Daily asked the Highway Patrol on Friday whether the investigation remains active, if the case has been referred to the Natrona County District Attorney's Office for a charging decision, whther the tanker driver has been cited or charged, and when the investigation is expected to conclude.
Highway Patrol spokesman Arron Healy did not address those questions specifically, but said that "the crash remains under investigation and we have no update at this time."
What Happened
The crash happened at 1:50 p.m. June 26 on U.S. Highway 20/26 near mile marker 58.3 in western Natrona County.
A westbound Western Star tanker commercial combination failed to stop for a line of vehicles waiting to enter a one-lane construction zone, wrote the Wyoming Highway Patrol in a crash summary.
The tanker struck seven vehicles: a Chevrolet Silverado, Toyota Highlander, Toyota 4Runner, Subaru Outback, Chevrolet Camaro, Dodge Ram 1500 and Chevrolet Impala.
Seventeen people were involved in the crash. Two were killed and eight injured.
The two killed were James Faris Cox, 74, and Susan Horn Cox, 69, of Golden, Colorado. Both were wearing seat belts, according to the Highway Patrol.
The Highway Patrol listed driver inattention as the possible contributing factor in the crash. The weather was clear and the highway was dry.
'Chaotic Scene'
The Natrona County Fire District previously described what emergency crews encountered as a "very chaotic scene" of badly damaged vehicles, a large debris field, multiple victims and bystanders already trying to help.
Six patients were transported by ground ambulance to Banner Wyoming Medical Center. Two others were flown to the hospital by helicopter.
Krista Nethercott, a funeral director and mortician, was about five vehicles behind the crash and initially thought traffic had stopped because of the construction zone.
When she realized something was wrong, she ran toward the wreckage.
"The gentleman was immediately deceased," Nethercott previously told Cowboy State Daily. "The lady probably lived a couple minutes."
Other bystanders searched for fire extinguishers and medical supplies, handed out water and brought camping chairs for survivors.
The fire district later thanked them for providing everything from minor patient care to emotional support before and after emergency crews arrived.
"The true spirit of the 'Wyoming Way' was in full force this day," the district said.
Another motorist, Erin Mills, had also assumed she was simply waiting for construction traffic.
Mills did not witness the impact, but saw the wreckage and debris when traffic ahead of her began turning around. The destruction was so extensive that she said, "I honestly was shocked when they said only two people died."
'It's The Scale'
Highway Patrol has previously offered some explanation for why the investigation has taken weeks.
In mid-July, Spokesman Aaron Brown told Cowboy State Daily investigators were dealing with an unusually complicated crash involving numerous vehicles and a large amount of evidence.
"It's the scale," Brown said. "We have a ton of data to sift through to try and get this thing done."
While the criminal investigation continues, one family injured in the crash has already gone to civil court.
Makensi and Chantry Van Patten, individually and on behalf of their two minor children, filed a negligence lawsuit July 10 in Natrona County District Court against Ryan Brothers Trucking Inc. and a John Doe defendant identified as the tanker driver.
The family, which was in the Toyota Highlander, is seeking damages for medical expenses, pain and suffering, emotional distress, permanent injuries, loss of enjoyment of life, lost earning capacity and other losses.
The Van Patten family declined an interview with Cowboy State Daily and referred questions to their Casper attorney, Dallas Laird.
"The lawsuit was filed to get this case going and to preserve my client's rights," Laird previously said.
Asked what his clients hoped to accomplish, Laird said, "A settlement of the case."
As of Friday, no additional filings had been made in the lawsuit.
Fifth Amendment
The civil complaint also alleges the tanker driver invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination and declined to answer investigators' questions.
Laird said that information came from Highway Patrol.
Ryan Brothers Trucking also has declined to discuss the pending case.
For now, the civil case is moving forward while the question of criminal charges remains unanswered.
Kolby Fedore can be reached at kolby@cowboystatedaily.com.
