PLATTE COUNTY –An accident involving several vehicles west of Guernsey on US Highway 26 last Monday resulted in four damaged vehicles, minor injuries, and one person transported to the hospital with injuries, Sheriff David Russell reported after an inquiry by the Platte County Record-Times.
Wyoming Highway Patrol trooper Brian Sinner said eastbound traffic was just beginning to resume travel at a construction zone just before 3 p.m. Monday, June 17 when the driver of a box truck became distracted as he reached for food while he was driving. He subsequently rear-ended a Chevy Equinox which became sandwiched between the box truck and the pickup in front. The pickup then ran into a Kia in front of it.
The box truck ended in the ditch on the south side of U.S. 26 and traffic was stopped in both directions until the scene could be cleared. The road was closed for nearly three-and-a-half hours.
According to Guernsey Fire Chief Jeff Thomas, as stated in a report to the Guernsey town council on Tuesday, emergency responders could not navigate past the wreck, so Wheatland responders worked the western side of the wreck in tandem with Guernsey responders taking care of the eastern side.
There was one injury (the driver of the Equinox) that involved fractures. The individual was transported to the hospital, then later to a Ft. Collins, Colorado hospital for non-life-threatening treatment.
The names have not been released, as charges are still pending, which may include careless driving, according to Sinner. He said the accident occurred in a location where the box truck driver was coming to the crest of a hill and did not have clear vision of the upcoming roadway.

He said the incident demonstrates how there are a variety of things that can be a distraction in driving that are not illegal, and people need to be aware things we all do while driving – including eating – can distract us from potential hazards on the roadway.

Update on May 24 Rollover with injuries
Russell also gave further details of an incident reported in the Record-Times about a vehicle collision at the intersection of Hightower and Ayers roads involving a juvenile driver. Allegedly the juvenile driver pulled into the Hightower roadway while Deputy Jessica Scott was on her way to work the morning of May 24. Her vehicle was hit towards the back, causing her to roll the vehicle several times. The children were uninjured, but Scott’s back was broken in several places.
Charges in the incident are unknown. The Wyoming Highway Patrol is the investigating agency.
In a show of support and generosity, most employees at the Sheriff’s Department donated over 200 vacation hours to Scott, which was authorized by the Platte County Commissioners. The hours will help ensure Scott is financially taken care of while she recovers.
Update on fundraiser for K9 Pancho

After a show of support from the community on Go-Fund-Me and with donations in person at the sheriff’s office, the $10,000 goal for the Platte County Sheriff’s Office K9 fund was reached. The funds make it possible for Sheriff’s K9, Deputy Pancho, to have a time-sensitive surgery to fix a herniated disc that is currently causing pressure on his spinal cord.
“He has just completed a round of medication and his most recent labs looked good,” Sheriff Russell said.
Pancho will have a follow-up in the next few days and then will be scheduled for surgery.
Pancho, his handler and partner, Captain Will Kirlin, and the sheriff want to thank the many people who have joined together in the community to help Pancho regain mobility and continue to serve the county.
“If this surgery is successful Pancho could have five or six more years to benefit Platte County,” Kirlin said.