RIVERTON, WY — Two people died Wednesday night after a two-vehicle crash in front of Riverton’s Walmart on North Federal Boulevard. The wreck brought police, firefighters and emergency medical crews to one of the city’s busiest roads around 8:15 p.m.
Witnesses said the crash left a white Dodge pickup on its side in the roadway and a black Jeep heavily damaged farther south in the northbound lane.
Scene Turns Chaotic
People nearby helped pull one man from the pickup, and one witness said he appeared badly hurt and could not answer simple questions about the date or year. Debris from the crash was also reported to have struck at least one passerby.
Two witnesses said the pickup driver was on the ground while emergency crews worked, then tried to run when the scene briefly calmed. They said officers tackled him and took him into custody.
Two Occupants Die
The Riverton Police Department later said both occupants of one vehicle had serious injuries. One was pronounced dead at the scene, and the other died after being taken to SageWest Health Care.
Police did not name the vehicles in the statement, but witness accounts indicate the two deaths were tied to the black Jeep.
Driver Faces Charges
Police said the pickup driver was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and vehicular homicide, along with other related offenses. The Fremont County Coroner’s Office also responded, and a transport truck took away one of the victims from the roadway.
Firefighters used red tarps to shield the scene from public view while investigators worked.
Police Seek Witnesses
The Riverton Police Department asked anyone with information about the crash to call 307-856-4891. Officials did not release the names of the people involved in the Thursday statement.
The investigation remains open as police and coroner personnel continue to sort out what led to the deadly wreck.
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