All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
(Lander, WY) – The preliminary hearing for 33-year-old Lander man Michael Odom has been set for June 29 in Lander’s Circuit Court. Odom faces multiple charges for his reported role in a drunk-driving crash on June 17, which resulted in the deaths of Taylee Dresser and Gregory Trosper, both 23-years-old.
Odom faces two counts of felony aggravated homicide by vehicle (DUI), with the alternative charge of aggravated homicide by vehicle (reckless conduct) for both counts. He was also charged with driving or having control of a vehicle while under the influence (DWUI), third offense, interference with a peace officer, and reckless driving, all misdemeanors.
On Wednesday, June 17, at approximately 8:12 PM, Riverton Police Department officers were dispatched to the area of Webbwood Rd. and N Federal Blvd., in regards to a vehicle accident with road blockage and multiple injuries reported, according to the case affidavit filed on June 19.
Upon arrival, officers observed the victim’s “severely damaged vehicle,” as well as a nearby truck on its side with “major damage to the front.” Officers noted in the affidavit that they “did not observe any signs of life from either Trosper or Dresser,” at that time, and that Dresser, the driver, had been ejected from the vehicle, while Trosper, the passenger, was still inside.
Upon reaching the truck, officers observed a male subject, later identified as Odom, who was attempting to climb out of the passenger side of his truck while a bystander was standing on top of it attempting to help him. Odom had blood on his face and “what appeared to be a broken arm.” Odom told officers that he “did not know what happened” when first questioned by officers after his removal from the truck.
Emergency medical crews soon arrived on scene, and determined that Dresser was deceased. Trosper showed signs of life while EMS crews tended to him, but he later succumbed to his injuries at the hospital.
The affidavit goes on to state that Odom was “worried that he was going to jail” and was “very agitated as if he did something wrong,” leading officers to suspect he was intoxicated. While waiting for EMS to come check on Odom, he “stood up and began running away.”
“Odom ran to a nearby parking lot where he ran into a truck and was apprehended by officers,” the affidavit states. At that time, Odom was handcuffed, detained in a patrol car, and soon taken to the hospital to have his blood drawn to determine his blood alcohol content level and have his injuries tended to.
Officers noted in the affidavit that they “did not apply for a blood warrant first due to the exigent circumstances of a fatal accident and the suspect being injured,” and that Odom was not read implied consent before the blood draw “due to forgetting because of the circumstances at hand,” but a blood search warrant was later applied for. (Per Cornell Law School, implied consent in terms of a suspected DUI is “when a person applies for a driving license or drives a car in a state that has an ‘implied consent’ law, they are considered to give implied consent to take a chemical test using blood, breath, or saliva to measure the blood alcohol content. If the person refuses to submit to testing, they will receive penalties, such as the suspension of their license.”)
While waiting for Odom to be medically cleared after the blood draw, Odom “stated that he was drunk,” the affidavit continues, at which point he was mirandized and asked “if he had been drinking and when.” Odom told officers that he consumed two ‘4-loco’ drinks at 7 PM, approximately an hour before the crash.
Odom was then read the implied consent, but “did not consent,” the affidavit states, and was eventually medically cleared after he was found to have a fractured wrist and fractured orbital floor on his right side. Odom was transported to the Police Department, where he willingly submitted to a PBT (Preliminary Breath Test) and provided a BrAC (Breath Alcohol Concentration) of 0.134.
The affidavit goes on to state that other officers had gathered statements of witnesses to the crash, who told investigators that the victim’s vehicle was “on Webbwood crossing the intersection heading west, when Odom sped through the red light coming in contact with the (vehicle).”
In response to the deaths of Dresser and Trosper, Governor Mark Gordon ordered all Wyoming flags to be flown at half-staff on June 23 and June 24.
“Jennie and I were saddened to hear the tragic news of the premature deaths of Taylee Page Dresser and Gregory Trosper, Jr. allegedly at the hands of an impaired driver,” Governor Gordon said in the flag order release. “Both families have been part of the tribal government for generations. Wyoming mourns with the Northern Arapaho and Eastern Shoshone Tribe at this senseless and terrible loss. We send our prayers to the families of Taylee and Gregory and to all who knew and loved them.”
Odom’s initial appearance hearing took place on June 19, where his bond was set at $1M (cash only). As stated above, his preliminary hearing has been scheduled for June 29.
Felony aggravated homicide by vehicle (DUI) and felony aggravated homicide by vehicle (reckless conduct) hold maximum punishments of 20 years imprisonment.
Misdemeanor DWUI (3rd offense) carries a maximum punishment of six months imprisonment (no less than 30 days) and a $3,000 fine (no less than $750). Misdemeanor interference with a peace officer carries a maximum sentence of one year imprisonment and a $1,000 fine. Misdemeanor reckless driving carries a maximum punishment of six months imprisonment and a $750 fine.
County 10 will provide updates on the case as it progresses, which can be viewed here.