• Nine teenagers involved, one remains hospitalized
The Cokeville Community has rallied together following a scary two vehicle accident on Highway 232 east of town on Wednesday, April 10. The incident occurred just one mile outside of town at roughly 9:00 p.m. when a northbound Dodge Ram pickup collided head-on with a southbound Toyota Highlander SUV. According to Wyoming Highway Patrol, a total of nine occupants were involved in the collision, all of which were under the age of 18. Four were in the Ram with five occupants in the Highlander.
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Emergency Responders from Cokeville, Kemmerer, Star Valley and Bear Lake along with Life Flight all responded to the scene. Two patients were transported to South Lincoln Medical Center in Kemmerer, two were taken to Bear Lake Memorial Hospital in Montpelier, one was taken to Star Valley Health in Afton and one was flown to McKay-Dee Trauma Center in Ogden, Utah.
“An accident like that with so many victims, multiple people getting transported to different hospitals, we have to draw resources from everywhere,” said Lincoln County Sheriff Shane Johnson during a live radio interview on Tuesday. “Everybody works together to make sure that we have the best outcome.”
“If there is just one thing that people can take away from an accident like this, is please wear a seat belt,” Officer Arron Healy with the WHP told SVI. “The amount of kinetic energy involved with an accident like this is very high and a seat belt can save your life.”
Troopers on the scene stated that lane use and speed were both factors in the collision and that some of the passengers in the Highlander were not wearing seat belts. The driver of the SUV had to be extricated from the vehicle.
As of Tuesday morning, all but one of the teenagers had been released from the hospital. Classmates, teachers and the community showed their support to those injured on Friday, as a donation jar was set during the Freshman dinner to help those affected. In addition, students at Star Valley High School have organized a fundraiser on Thursday, April 17. On that day only, students may purchase candy and soda from the school store, pay to wear a hat at school and sign a card in the commons. All proceeds will go towards those affected by the crash.
