Ryan Nordstrom To Be Bound Over For Trial On Aggravated Vehicular Homicide Charge

A Michigan man has been bound over for trial on charges stemming from a fatal crash north of Casper.

A judge has ruled that there is sufficient evidence for prosecutors to move forward with an aggravated vehicular homicide charge against 27-year-old Ryan Nordstrom.

In middle October, state troopers were called to a two-vehicle crash on I-25 about 25 miles north of Casper.

The crash killed Daniel Barto of Montana, who was traveling with his pregnant wife and two children.

Witnesses said that Nordstrom had been driving southbound in a reckless manner, speeding and weaving his way in and out of traffic, and eventually rear-ended Barto's vehicle.

Barto was pronounced dead at the scene, and investigators say they found a pipe and some suspected spice in Nordstrom’s vehicle.

At a preliminary hearing, a trooper testified that the black box inside Nordstorm’s vehicle showed that he was going 81 miles per hour with 100% throttle, about half a second before the collision.

The defense argued that Nordstorm’s driving habits should be considered negligent and not reckless, because recklessness requires a conscious disregard to others…and Nordstorm told investigators he didn’t see Barto’s vehicle until right before the collision.

Nordstorm is free on $50,000 bond awaiting trial, and could receive up to 20 years in prison if convicted.

As a part of his bond condition, Nordstorm is allowed to stay with his parents in Michigan.