Originally reported/written by Nick Perkins at Oil City News.
(Fremont County, WY) – A release from the Wyoming Highway Patrol states that on Oct. 13 at approximately 9:31 a.m., the WHP was alerted to a two-vehicle crash on U.S. Highway 26 near mile marker 72. The release states that a 2015 Ford Transit van was traveling west and attempted to pass another vehicle.
The Ford was in a no-passing zone due to an upcoming hillcrest. As the Ford pulled into the eastbound lane to pass, a Dodge Ram traveling east and pulling a horse trailer was on the other side of the hill.
The Dodge swerved to the right and the Ford impacted it at an angle on the front driver’s-side corner, ran down the side of the Dodge and impacted the driver’s-side corner of the horse trailer. The release states that the impact with the trailer was more direct on the driver’s side of the Ford. The impact of the collision forced the trailer to detach from the pickup, and all three vehicles went in different directions.
The driver of the Ford was identified as Benjamin Jackson, 59, of Bladensburg, Maryland. He was transported by helicopter to Banner Wyoming Medical Center in Casper, and was hospitalized. Jackson died at Banner on the evening of Oct. 21 as a result of his injuries.
The passenger of the Ford was taken by ground ambulance to Sage West Lander, where they were treated and subsequently released. The driver of the Dodge Ram suffered minor injuries, but was not taken to a medical facility.
The horse in the trailer suffered minor injuries as well.
“Speed is being considered a primary factor in this crash,” the release states. “The Wyoming Highway Patrol reminds everyone to follow speed limits, and never pass in a no passing zone.”
This fatality brings the deaths on Wyoming roadways to 102 in 2025, as compared to 88 in 2024 and 118 in 2023