Crash kills 2, injures 2, on Hwy 191
November 16, 2006
A head-on crash on U.S Highway 191 north of Farson killed two men and injured two others on Wednesday, November 15. Killed in the crash were 23-year-old Nathan D. Murphy of Big Piney and Chad A. Turk, 30, of Superior, Wyoming. Theodore and Carol Bultsma, ages 71 and 69, from Platte, South Dakota, were injured.
According to the Wyoming Highway Patrol, the Bultsma vehicle was northbound and the Turk vehicle was southbound on US Highway 191 approximately ten miles north of Farson in Sweetwater County around 1:30 pm Wednesday. Roadways at the time of the crash were dry and weather conditions were clear.
According to witnesses, the Turk vehicle, a 2002 Ford Focus, had been driving in an erratic manner, including passing unsafely. Troopers estimate the speed of the Turk vehicle prior to the crash at 75 mph and possibly as fast as 100 mph. Turk attempted to pass a southbound tanker combination and pulled into the path of a northbound vehicle. The driver of that vehicle was able to drive off of the roadway and avoid a collision. The Turk vehicle then collided head-on with the Bultsma vehicle, a 2006 Ford F350 crew cab pickup being driven by Theodore Bultsma, in the northbound lane. Upon impact, the Turk vehicle broke into five separate pieces. Turk and Murphy died at the scene. Neither were wearing seatbelts.
The Bultsmas were transported by ground ambulance to Sweetwater County Memorial Hospital in Rock Springs. They were later transported by air ambulance to Salt Lake City. Neither of the Bultsma’s were wearing seatbelts at the time of the collision.
The tanker truck was not involved in the crash. Possible alcohol/drug use by Turk is being investigated as a factor in this crash.
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