Originally published February 4, 2010, 07:13 a.m. EST. Updated February 4, 2010, 02:25 p.m. EST
SHOSHONI, Wyo. – More news has come in from the Wyoming Highway Patrol about Wednesday night’s fatal crash near the Wind River Canyon in Fremont County. Killed in the crash was 55-year-old Linda Joann Ohrmund of Shoshoni. She died of chest and abdominal injuries. Fremont County Coroner Ed McAuslan has ruled her death accidental and cancelled a previously plan to conduct an autopsy.
Authorities say Ohrmund had just driven out of the canyon on US Highway 20 in her 1997 Mercury Mountaineer coming from Thermopolis and was about 13 miles from home when she hit a semi trailer head-on. The trailer of the semi had drifted onto her side of the road. Authorities say she tried to steer clear, but her vehicle hit the front wheel on the steering axle of the towed trailer and went off the west side of the road. It came to rest with its front end on top of a concrete barrier. The rear wheels were still on the ground.
An emergency team took her to the hospital in Thermopolis but she died about an hour after the crash, pronounced dead at the hospital around 2 Wednesday afternoon.
Sgt. Stephen Townsend of the Wyoming Highway Patrol said the trailer she hit was actually the second trailer being pulled behind the Peterbilt driven by 37-year-old Kenneth Schierkolk of Riverton.
The impact tore the steering axle out of the truck. It ended up in the east side borrow ditch. The semi came to rest in the northbound lane of travel, partially blocking the roadway. The crash happened just before 1 Wednesday afternoon. The driver of the tractor trailer combination was traveling on a downgrade negotiating a right-hand curve in the roadway just before the crash.
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February 11, 2010
4:51 p.m.Report inappropriate content
It's unfortunate that the truck driver has only been cited for incorrectly securing a load when the accident KILLED Ms. Ohrmund. It seems unfair there;'s not a more serious charge that could have been brought against him.
February 17, 2010
11:53 a.m.Report inappropriate content
This was a very unfortunate ACCIDENT!! Have we not all heard of accidents happening?? Unfortunatly a life was taken, but do you not think that the driver of this truck is going to have to live with the guilt of knowing that the he is responsible for someone loosing there life. The driver of the truck was following all policies handed down by his employer and the state DOT. Unfortunatly, they had to cite him for something, but they couldn't find anything wrong other than an improperly secured load! I can guarantee that if every truck or trailer being pulled by a truck or pick-up were to be pulled over, very few would get out of there without receiving a load securement violation! Like I said before, it is very unfortunate that this ACCIDENT took someone's life, but I think this driver has received enough punishment knowing that he has taken someone's life unintentionally!
February 19, 2010
12:49 a.m.Report inappropriate content
the trucker was towing a tractor..the steering wheel was being held in place with bungee cords. bungee cords break all the time...look for em while your driving down a highway...the are black rubber..they hold down tarps on semis..................he should get time in jail......
February 19, 2010
1:40 p.m.Report inappropriate content
wolfman28 wow you don't read fact or papers or listen to the news well do you? Her is what happened A truck diver was driving a wrecker hauling a semi truck not a tractor. If you new any thing about semi's you would know they cannot be haled facing forward unless they are running because of the air breaks. semi's Back end is locked up so the truck has to be haled backwards with the entire back end lifted up. The truck not being secure is news to me and the trucker being sighted for it to. It was properly secured. Now they don't know if it was a gust of wind or what but the semi being haled started to swerve coming out of the canyon (known for gusts of wind here and there heck its Wyoming you get them everywhere.) The poor unfortunate woman in the car hit the truck. Now there is an autopsy being performed so until the cause of death is determined shush. who knows she could of had a hart attack or stroke we don't know she is 55 it could be a possibility. (innocent until proven guilty.) It was a tragic accident and no it wasn't the truckers fault but yes he is paying for it everyday how could anyone not be. it would sadden anyone to get in a accident and have a life lost even if it was the other persons fault. This trucker has a big heart and is a very nice person and he is punishing himself enough. Tell me something lets say you were driving on bald or outdated tires (tires do go bad after 6 years even if they look new and some store's will still sell them as new) and one blew and you lost control of you car and hit someone else killing them I suppose you think you should go to jail. It was an accident but it was preventable. You could of gotten new tires or checked the date on your new tires and seen they were old. Your one sided mind probably has you thinking that situation is different and you shouldn't go to jail yet you think the trucker should. No there were no bungee cords involved. I feel bad for the woman's family but it was fate it was her time to go and now she is with her husband in heaven. everyday accidents happen and you risk being in one every time you leave your house and all of them can be prevented ALL!!! from both parties.
February 22, 2010
10:04 p.m.Report inappropriate content
Marie 101, there was 2, yes i said 2 bungie cords securing the steering wheel. i know more about this story than you do. yes if i knew my tires were bald etc, and i killed someone then i guess that makes me responsble now dont it. then yes i should go to jail...oh and it was in the Riverton paper and you should read more news clearly. you dont know what you are talking about. i have proof and if you ever come to Thermopolis or Shoshoni, or even Riverton i will gladly meet with you and "SHOW YOU PROOF."