(Green River, WY) – The February 14th Green River tunnel pile-up on Interstate 80 involved 26 vehicles, killing three people, including two Rawlins residents and a Canadian resident.
The Wyoming Highway Patrol responded along with many other agencies; the Sweetwater County Sheriff’s Department, the Green River Police Department, the Green River Fire Department, Castle Rock Ambulance, the Division of Criminal Investigation and others.
Last weekend, Wyoming Highway Patrol trooper Timothy Howell was recognized and received an award for his heroic actions during that tragic incident.
Howell was off-duty and traveling near the tunnels when the crash occurred. After making sure his family was safe in the vehicle, he entered the smoke-filled tunnel to assist others that were trapped inside.
Ultimately the WHP trooper made four trips on foot inside the fiery, smoky tunnel. On his fourth trip, he located motorist Patricia James, her son Gentry and their two dogs. Howell picked Gentry up, covered him with his jacket to help protect the child from the smoke and escorted them out of the tunnel safely. Upon exit, the small child told Trooper Howell, “thank you for saving us.”
Sweetwater County Attorney Daniel Erramouspe presented Trooper Howell with an award after the 10th annual “Run with the Badges” event in Green River on Saturday, April 26th. Patricia and Gentry were both in attendance to offer their support to Trooper Howell.