CASPER, WY — Two people were killed and seven others were hurt Friday afternoon in a pileup on U.S. Highway 20/26 west of Casper, and strangers who stopped at the scene quickly began helping the injured. The Natrona County Coroner’s Office later identified the victims as James Faris Cox, 74, and Susan Horn Cox, 69, of Golden, Colorado.
Authorities said the crash happened near mile marker 58 and involved multiple vehicles, including a semi-truck. Emergency crews said 17 people were directly involved, and two patients were flown by helicopter while others were taken by ambulance to Wyoming Medical Center.
Investigation Still Open
The Wyoming Highway Patrol said Monday that the crash remains under investigation and that no preliminary cause has been released. No criminal charges had been filed as of Monday afternoon.
The coroner’s office is working with the highway patrol and the Natrona County Sheriff’s Office on the deaths. Officials have not said what led to the collision or whether any driver actions were a factor.
Witness Saw The Aftermath
Krista Nethercott of Jackson came upon the backup after traffic suddenly stopped and at first believed it was tied to road work. She said she walked toward the front of the line after waiting a few minutes and found vehicles scattered on both sides of the highway.
Nethercott said she and another bystander checked the most damaged pickup, where the Coxes were traveling. She said the man had died at the scene and the woman may have lived only a short time, and that both appeared to have been wearing seat belts.
Bystanders Stepped In
Long before emergency crews arrived, about 10 people got out of their vehicles to help, Nethercott said. One person searched for fire extinguishers, another checked on a child in a car seat, and others brought camping chairs and bottled water for survivors waiting along the highway.
The Natrona County Fire District later thanked those motorists for giving shelter, emotional support and minor patient care before responders reached the scene. Fire officials described the crash area as chaotic, with heavy debris, several damaged vehicles and a large number of bystanders.
Survivor Faces Recovery
Among the injured is Kensi Van Patten, whose family has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help with medical bills and lost income during what is expected to be a long recovery. The fundraiser says she suffered serious injuries in the crash.
Officials said the response included firefighters, ambulances, LifeFlight and Guardian Flight helicopters, sheriff’s deputies, highway patrol troopers, WYDOT crews, dispatchers and road construction personnel. Investigators said they are still working to determine exactly what happened.
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