Speed, inattention suspected in deadly crash in Laramie County
CHEYENNE (WNE) — The Wyoming Highway Patrol is investigating a crash in Laramie County that left two Nebraska natives dead and one hospitalized.
On Friday at approximately 12:11 a.m., troopers were alerted to a crash between a passenger vehicle and a tractor-trailer on U.S. Highway 85 and Wyoming Highway 216, roughly 16 miles west of Albin.
When troopers arrived, they found that a white Volkswagen Jetta had been northbound on U.S. 85, approaching the intersection of WY 216. Meanwhile, a tractor-trailer was stopped at the stop sign on WY 216, and began to turn south onto U.S. 85. The Volkswagen collided with the trailer’s front driver’s side, according to a Highway Patrol news release.
A witness spoke to troopers and stated that the Volkswagen had been traveling at a high rate of speed and had passed them in an unsafe manner before the crash.
Two passengers, Joslyn Hopkins, 20, and Brock Burry, 20, both of Bayard, Nebraska, died at the scene. The unidentified 24-year-old driver was taken by helicopter to Medical Center of the Rockies and hospitalized. The driver of the semi-truck was not injured. Neither passenger in the Volkswagen was wearing a seat belt.
At this time, speed and driver inattention are being considered possible contributing factors, according to the release.
This deadly crash marks the 71st and 72nd deaths on Wyoming roadways in 2026. This is compared to 69 in 2025 and 54 in 2024.
This story was published on July 29, 2026.
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