The Wyoming Highway Patrol (WHP) and other first-responders were on the scene of a head-on collision outside Cokeville on Wednesday evening involving nine area minors. 

According to the WHP, the incident occurred at mile post 1 on Highway 232 at 9 p.m. with a northbound Dodge Ram pickup colliding with a southbound Toyota Highlander SUV. 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. 

According to information provided by the WHP, the Highlander crossed the center divide on a left-hand turn and the two vehicles collided head-on.

The roadway was temporarily closed as Life Flight landed on the scene to transport the injured for medical care. Ambulances from Bear Lake, Kemmerer and Star Valley were there to assist in the operation. 

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.

Three of the occupants left the scene with family or friends.

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.

“If there is just one thing that people can take away from an accident like this, is please wear a seat belt,” said Officer Arron Healy with the WHP. “The amount of kinetic energy involved with an accident like this is very high and a seat belt can save your life.”