UPDATE (April 21, 2025): Recent reports have been released which identify the person who lost her life as a result of this accident as 70-year-old Mary Couch, of Lineville, Alabama. No additional information is currently available. Investigations continue.
Rawlins, WY — March 15, 2025, one person was killed and another was injured in a two-truck accident along Interstate Highway 80.
According to authorities, two people—one behind the wheel and one in the sleeper cab—were traveling in an eastbound 18-wheeler on I.H. 80 in the vicinity of the exit for U.S. 287 when the accident took place.
The cause of the accident remains unclear. Officials indicate that, for as yet unknown reasons, a westbound Freightliner failed to safely maintain its lane of travel. It allegedly veered left, crashing through a guardrail as well as a cable barrier before entering the opposing lanes of traffic. There, it was apparently involved in a collision with the oncoming, aforementioned 18-wheeler.
The person who had been in the sleeper cab of the truck reportedly suffered fatal injuries due to the wreck, while the one who had been driving sustained serious injuries. The man who had been behind the wheel of the crossing Freightliner is facing charges of homicide by vehicle, according to reports. Additional details pertaining to this incident—including the identities of the victims—are not available at this point in time. The investigation is currently ongoing.
Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman
When a westbound 18-wheeler crosses the median and strikes another truck head-on, the key question isn’t just what happened, but why it happened. In my experience handling truck accident cases, wrecks like this rarely occur without multiple contributing factors that need to be examined.
Why did the westbound truck leave its lane? Professional drivers are trained to keep their vehicles under control, especially on high-speed interstates like I-80. Investigators need to determine whether the driver experienced fatigue, distraction, impairment, or a medical emergency. Reviewing black box data, cell phone records, toxicology results, and dashcam footage—if available—could offer critical insight into the driver’s condition and actions before the crash.
Was the truck in proper working condition? Brake issues, steering malfunctions, or tire blowouts can all cause a truck to veer out of its lane. Investigators should examine maintenance logs, inspection records, and the truck’s mechanical components to determine whether equipment failure played a role in the crash.
Was the truck operating under commercial conditions? If the driver was hauling freight for a company, additional safety standards would apply. Investigators should determine whether the driver was properly trained, operating under a reasonable schedule, and driving a vehicle that was maintained in accordance with federal regulations. Reviewing employer safety policies and the driver’s logbook could help reveal whether operational pressure or company practices played a role.
At the end of the day, the most important thing is finding answers. Even if it takes an independent investigation to gather the right evidence, it’s critical to examine every factor to ensure those affected by the crash get the clarity they deserve.
call us 
Email Us 
Text us