A single vehicle crash north of Casper, Wyoming on October 3rd has resulted in one death. Shaquille E. Thunder Hawk, a 22 year old male resident of Rushville, Nebraska, sustained fatal injuries from the crash that occurred at 4:29 a.m. on Interstate 25 near mile post 205 approximately 14 miles north of Casper.
Mr. Thunder Hawk was the passenger in a 2013 Chevrolet Sonic driven by 34 year old Elisha L. Yellow-Thunder of Omaha, Nebraska. The Chevy was traveling south on I-25 when the car abruptly left the interstate to the east striking a guardrail. The initial impact sent the vehicle to the west across both lanes of I-25 where it collided with a second guardrail. The Chevy came to rest in the driving lane of I-25 south.
Elisha Yellow-Thunder was transported to Wyoming Medical Center in Casper by ground ambulance. Her condition is unknown at this time.
Alcohol use and interference with the controls of the vehicle by Mr. Thunder Hawk are currently being investigated in this crash as it still remains under investigation. No charges have been filed at this time and the case will be sent to the Natrona County District Attorney’s Office for review once the investigation is complete.
Mr. Thunder Hawk is projected to be the 114th highway fatality in Wyoming for 2015. There were 122 fatalities on October 05th in 2014.
Both occupants had the vehicle seat belts fastened, but both occupants were sitting on top of the seat belts unrestrained rendering the seat belts ineffective. Mr. Thunder Hawk sustained fatal injuries inside the cab of the vehicle. The investigating trooper noted in this crash that Mr. Thunder Hawk’s fatal injury could have been avoided if the seat belts would have been in proper use.
*Press Release from Wyoming Highway Patrol