(Fremont County, WY) – A two-vehicle crash occurring on May 14 on WY 789 outside of Lander resulted in one fatality and one injury, according to the Wyoming Highway Patrol preliminary report posted this week.
The deceased was identified as a passenger of one of the vehicles, 76-year-old Lander resident Linda Barton.
According to the report narrative, the crash occurred around 1:20 PM near mile marker 86 on WY 789, when the driver of a vehicle tried to make a left-hand turn into a business parking lot, and a southbound vehicle was unable to stop, striking the front passenger side of the turning vehicle.
Barton succumbed to her injuries in the days following the crash. Community members have shared that there will be a Celebration of Life for Barton on June 7.
The report states that a seatbelt was in use, and that “driver inattention” is a possible contributing factor.
There have been 35 deaths reported on Wyoming roadways to date in 2026.