CASPER, WY — Two people were killed Friday afternoon in a multivehicle crash involving a semitruck on U.S. Highway 20/26 near Hiland, according to Wyoming authorities. The wreck shut down the highway in both directions for nearly 12 hours and left multiple other people hurt.
Witnesses said they first thought traffic had stopped for construction before they reached the scene and saw the crash had been far more serious. Emergency crews later described the aftermath as a major, chaotic scene with debris, damaged vehicles and a heavy bystander response.
Witnesses Saw the Wreck
Erin Mills said she was driving from Casper to Riverton when she came upon the crash and stopped behind what she believed was a pilot car for road work. She later realized vehicles were turning around because of the collision, and said it looked like a tanker had struck several passenger vehicles.
Krista Nethercott, who owns Grand Teton Funeral Home in Jackson, said she rushed forward to check on people and help until emergency responders arrived. She said she saw one person already dead and another woman with a barely detectable pulse.
Crews Described Chaos
The Natrona County Fire District said 17 people were directly involved in the crash. The agency reported two fatalities and eight patients taken to Banner Wyoming Medical Center in Casper, including six by ground ambulance and two by air ambulance.
Fire crews also thanked bystanders who stepped in right away to help victims while waiting for medical teams. Officials said the scene was especially difficult because of the number of vehicles, the debris field and the large number of people already on site when responders arrived.
Highway Stayed Shut
Wyoming Department of Transportation issued an urgent alert just before 2:50 p.m. Friday saying the highway was closed in both directions near Hiland after the crash. For drivers between Casper and Riverton, the road became a long backup that lasted until the highway reopened after 2 a.m. Saturday.
Chris Turk of Casper said he was caught in the slowdown and saw emergency responders arrive as dark storm clouds moved in over central Wyoming. He said a medical helicopter took off after only about 10 minutes on the ground, before the weather worsened.
Investigation Continues
By Sunday, the Wyoming Highway Patrol and WYDOT had not released a full explanation of how the collision happened or how many vehicles were involved. Officials had confirmed only that the crash included a semitruck, several vehicles, numerous injuries and the two deaths.
The state highway patrol’s fatal crash summary said the wreck brought Wyoming’s road death total to 55 and 56 for the year, up from 51 at the same point in 2025. Investigators were still working to sort out the details as motorists and responders remembered a scene that unfolded fast on a remote stretch of highway.
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