JACKSON HOLE, Wyo. — A suspect is dead after a high-speed chase Wednesday on I-80 near Rock Springs.
On November 3, Wyoming Highway Patrol troopers conducted a traffic stop on a 2021 Chrysler Van at milepost 80 on Interstate 80 near Green River for a traffic infraction. A backup trooper in the area arrived to assist with the traffic stop.
After conversing with troopers for a little while, the driver jumped back into his vehicle despite efforts to stop him. He sped away with troopers in pursuit.
Troopers gave chase as the driver fled east on Interstate 80 towards Rock Springs. The pursuit reached speeds over 120 mph. Law enforcement successfully deployed spike strips around milepost 97 on Interstate 80 to deflate the vehicle’s tires. The driver continued to evade troopers as he fled on Interstate 80.
Finally, the vehicle collided with the back of a belly dump combination commercial vehicle at a high rate of speed after exiting the interstate at Exit 99. The driver of the pursued vehicle was pronounced deceased from injuries sustained in the crash. Located inside the vehicle was approximately 83 pounds of suspected marijuana.
The driver of the commercial vehicle was not injured in the crash.
Identification of the deceased driver is being withheld pending next of kin notification.
An investigation is ongoing.
