One Killed in Collision South Of Gillette

A two vehicle crash on February 2nd resulted in the death of 32 year old Alfred L. Banda of Sheridan, Wyoming. The crash happened at 1:45 p.m. on Wyoming Highway 50 approximately 24 miles south of Gillette.

Mr. Banda was the front seat passenger in a n SUV driven by 33 year old Lynn Poppell of Casper, Wyoming. The vehicle was traveling south on WY 50 when it initially went off the roadway to the right. It was overcorrected to the left causing the vehicle to slide and cross both lanes of travel. A northbound pickup, driven by 51 year old William Corkill of Gillette, Wyoming, veered off the road to avoid a collision with the oncoming SUV, but the two vehicles clipped each other. The sport utility vehicle eventually tripped and rolled three-quarters of one complete roll.

Mr. Banda was wearing his seat belt at the time of the crash, but was still fatally injured on scene. Lynn Poppell was not wearing his seat belt during the crash and was taken to Campbell County Memorial Hospital in Gillette. His status is unknown at the time of this release. William Corkill and his passenger, 26 year old Adrian Tarter of Gillette, were both wearing their seat belts during the crash. They also were taken to Campbell County Memorial Hospital where they were both treated and released.

Impaired driving and driver inattention are being investigated as contributing factors in this crash. Mr. Banda marked the 10th highway fatality in Wyoming for 2015.