Speed, no seatbelt likely causes of death in Christmas Day crash
RAWLINS (WNE) — A Riverton woman is dead after a crash on a slick, Wyoming highway Christmas Day.
Troopers responded to a crash on US 287, mile marker 5, on Christmas Day at approximately 7:45 p.m., north of Rawlins. Troopers arrived to find a 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander and 2006 GMC Commercial vehicle had collided during wet, snowy conditions on the road.
According to the driver of the GMC, the commercial vehicle was southbound on 789, while the Outlander was northbound. The Outlander appeared to lose control and went into a sideways slide into the southbound lane when the two vehicles impacted. As a result of the impact, the driver of the Outlander was fully ejected, landing in the borrow ditch. The GMC came to rest blocking both lanes of the highway.
The driver of the Outlander, identified as Susan Martin, 65, of Riverton, died on the scene. Martin was not wearing her seatbelt at the time of the crash.
The driver of the GMC was transported to Rawlins by ambulance where they were treated and released.
Speed is being considered the primary cause of the crash. This crash brings deaths on Wyoming roadways to 122 in 2025, compared to 107 in 2024, and 144 in 2023.
This story was published on Jan. 10, 2026.