(ROCK SPRINGS, September 29, 2015) — Around 8 p.m. last night Rock Springs officers responded to reports of a black SUV parked in the right lane of travel at exit 111 near Airport Road. Several drivers attempted to get the driver to move as multiple cars almost rear-ended the SUV.
For unknown reasons, the driver of the black SUV made a U-turn and began heading Eastbound in the westbound lane at a high rate of speed. Calls came in to dispatch complaining of a wrong-way driver on the highway.
As Wyoming Highway Patrol attempted to locate the vehicle reports of a head-on collision near mile marker 118 came in. Semi-driver Ton Bui of California witnessed the wrong-way vehicle heading towards his semi-truck. Bui was stuck on the mile marker 118 bridge deck and was unable to move out of the way completely, but was able to crank his wheel at the last minute to narrowly avoid a direct head-on collision. The SUV was struck by the semitruck’s front axle and vaulted across the interstate where it then struck the bridge deck and blocked the left lane of traffic.
The driver of the SUV was identified as Rock Springs resident Mara Deckert. Deckert had admitted to drinking since leaving South Dakota and traveling home through Casper. Deckert was trapped in the vehicle at the time of the crash and had to be extracted. She was transported to Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater County in stable condition.
After the crash Deckert’s dog ran from the vehicle. Before bystanders could catch the dog, it was struck by a semitruck and killed.
Rock Springs Trooper Mitch Kannier explains, “Deckert is extremely lucky to be alive, and the fact she was wearing a seat belt during the multi-incident crash is being credited for saving her life. This was the best possible outcome for this horrible situation. Deckert’s negligent choice to drink and drive almost cost her her life and almost killed numerous motorists that barely missed an Interstate speed collision that would have surely been fatal.”
Deckert is pending charges which include DUI, careless driving, and open container.
