A fatal hit-and-run crash involving a semi-truck on Interstate 80 near Rock Springs has left investigators searching for answers and for the unidentified truck driver who fled the scene.
According to the Wyoming Highway Patrol, the crash occurred at approximately 4:20 p.m. near Exit 99. Authorities allege the semi-truck struck a commercial truck driver, identified as 41-year-old Jeremy Simien of Houston, Texas, who was outside of his parked vehicle at the time. Simien, who was wearing a high-visibility vest, died from his injuries at the scene. The driver of the striking semi-truck fled and has yet to be identified. The investigation remains ongoing as troopers seek assistance from the public.
Whenever I hear about a hit-and-run involving a semi-truck—especially when a pedestrian in high-visibility gear is struck—I think about the fundamental responsibility commercial drivers have to stay alert and aware of their surroundings at all times. In my experience, crashes like this raise immediate concerns about whether distraction or fatigue played a role, and why the driver did not stop and remain at the scene as required by law.
Could Distraction or Fatigue Have Caused the Semi-Truck Driver to Miss Seeing the Victim?
Pedestrians working on or near highways are highly vulnerable, and semi-truck drivers are trained to be especially vigilant in these situations. In this case, with the victim wearing a high-visibility vest in broad daylight, a key question investigators must ask is how the truck driver failed to see him.
Distraction, whether from a phone, navigation device, or even a momentary lapse in attention, can easily prevent a driver from noticing a person on or near the roadway. Fatigue, particularly in the late afternoon hours when alertness naturally dips, may also have impaired the driver’s ability to spot and react to the hazard.
When they find the vehicle and driver, investigators should explore whether the semi-truck driver had been on duty for extended hours, review hours-of-service logs, and seek any in-cab footage or GPS data to determine whether distraction or fatigue were factors.
What Evidence Is Needed to Understand the Crash?
Because the driver fled the scene, identifying the truck and gathering evidence will be critical. Investigators should seek dash cam or traffic camera footage, witness statements, and forensic analysis of vehicle debris left at the scene. Once the vehicle is located, ECM data should be reviewed to determine the truck’s speed and braking activity at the time of impact.
Why Thorough Investigation Matters in Hit-and-Run Semi-Truck Crashes
From my experience, hit-and-run crashes involving semi-trucks are among the most serious and troubling. Not only do they involve severe harm, but they also represent a complete failure of responsibility on the part of the driver. Understanding whether this crash resulted from distraction, fatigue, or other failures is essential to getting answers for those affected by the incident.