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LARAMIE – The first fatality on Wyoming’s highways in 2016 is likely the result of improper seat belt use, according to a release from Wyoming Highway Patrol.
A 44-year-old man from Pensacola, Fla. died early Monday morning after the vehicle he was in rolled multiple times, ejecting him from the passenger seat. An investigation found that the man was sitting on top of the lap belt portion of the seat belt and had the shoulder strap over his body. According to the release, investigating Troopers believe the fatality could have been avoided if the seat belt was used properly.
Authorities are still trying to locate the next of kin for the passenger, so his name is not being released until family can be notified.
According to the release, the crash occurred at about 4 a.m. Monday around mile marker 284 on Interstate 80 approximately 26 miles west of Laramie. It is believed that the driver, 25-year-old Nathan Perkins, also from Pensacola, Fla., fell asleep at the wheel of the 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee and crossed over the median side roadway rumble strips, striking a delineator post. Perkins then overcorrected the vehicle to the right, crossed both eastbound lanes of I-80 and left the interstate to the south while sliding. After leaving the highway, the Jeep rolled multiple times.
The 44-year-old passenger sustained fatal injuries at the scene. Perkins was wearing his seatbelt and was taken to Ivinson Memorial Hospital in Laramie where he was hospitalized.
Driver fatigue is being investigated as the contributing factor in this crash. Perkins was cited for careless driving.
This fatal crash marked the first highway fatality in Wyoming for 2016. There were five fatalities as of Jan. 6 last year.