Posted 7-24-08

Wyoming State Highway Fatality #71

(Wyoming Highway Patrol)

LOCATION OF THE CRASH
Milepost #: 267.9 Time of Crash: 3:30 p.m.
Highway: Interstate 25 Date of Crash: 7/22/08
*Location Info: 30 miles south of Buffalo in Johnson County

NUMBER OF VEHICLES INVOLVED: 2

NUMBER OF PERSONS INVOLVED: 2

DRIVERS/PASSENGERS
********************FATALITIES*************************
NAME: Johan Reimer AGE: 20 SEX: M
CITY & STATE: Vauxhall, Alberta, Canada
SUBJECT WAS DRIVER OF: Vehicle #2 YEAR: 1987 MAKE: Chevrolet MODEL: S-10 pickup
DATE/TIME OF DEATH: 7/22/08 at the scene
SEAT BELT USE: Yes

*******************INJURED/NON-INJURED***************
NAME: Michael L. Beard AGE: 54 SEX: M
CITY & STATE: Centennial, CO
INJURIES: None
SUBJECT WAS DRIVER OF: Vehicle #1 YEAR: MAKE: Mack MODEL: Truck tractor
SEAT BELT USE: Yes
COMMERCIAL VEHICLE COMPANY NAME: BECO, Inc.

NARRATIVE
Both vehicles were southbound on Interstate 25 in the driving lane traveling on dry roads with clear weather conditions. Beard was pulling a van trailer loaded with U.S. mail and was traveling up a long uphill grade. He estimates his trucks speed at approximately 45 to 50 mph and had his 4-way flashers activated. For reasons unknown, Reimer never changed lanes or braked as he approached the slow moving tractor trailer combination. Reimer’s pickup ran into the rear of the trailer that Beard was pulling going under the trailer in a rear under ride type crash. After impact, Beard was able to drive to a controlled final position stopping in the emergency lane. Reimer’s vehicle came to rest in the southbound lanes of travel.
It is unknown at this time at what speed the closing speed of the two vehicles was.