Fatal crash in Hoback Canyon claims Pinedale couple
by Wyoming Highway Patrol
July 1, 2016
A fatal crash southeast of Jackson, Wyoming on July 1st has resulted in the death of 23-year old Pinedale, Wyoming resident Jessica Sanders. The crash occurred at 8:00 a.m. on the 1st near mile post 156 on US Highway 191 approximately 19 miles southeast of Jackson.
Jessica Sanders was a passenger on a 2009 Kawasaki motorcycle being operated by 27 year old Pinedale resident Chase Sanders. The Kawasaki was traveling north on US 191 when the motorcycle entered the southbound lane of travel to pass two northbound vehicles in a no passing zone on a blind curve. Chase Sanders failed to see a southbound 2016 Chevrolet Silverado that was pulling a cargo trailer as the motorcycle began to pass in the no passing zone. As the motorcycle began to re-enter the northbound lane of travel, the motorcycle and the Chevy collided in a side-swipe passing manner. Both Chase and Jessica Sanders were thrown from the motorcycle. Neither one of them was wearing a helmet. After the initial collision, the motorcycle and Jessica Sanders both collided with a northbound 2015 GMC Sierra pickup that was also towing a trailer.
Jessica Sanders sustained fatal injury on scene. Chase Sanders was transported by helicopter ambulance to Eastern Idaho Medical Center in Idaho Falls, Idaho and has been hospitalized.
Darin Olson, a 51 year old resident of Moran, Wyoming was driving the southbound Chevrolet Silverado. Olson and a passenger were uninjured.
Paul Rodgers, a 51 year old resident of Glenwood Springs, Colorado was driving the northbound GMC Sierra. Rodgers and a passenger were uninjured.
Speed, passing in a no passing zone and lack of helmet use are being investigated as contributing factors in this crash that marked the 42nd highway fatality in Wyoming for 2016. There were 66 fatalities during this same time period in 2015.
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