Wyoming Driver Dead After Rolling SUV, Hitting Large Tree

A 47-year-old Wyoming man is dead after rolling his SUV near Alpine, the Wyoming Highway Patrol says.

The crash happened around 2:50 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 8, at milepost 121.3 on U.S. 26/U.S. 89.

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According to a fatality crash summary, Theodore Filcher was behind the wheel of a southbound Toyota 4Runner approaching a right turn when "the vehicle exited the roadway to the northbound shoulder and began to rotate in a driver's side-leading slide."

The SUV reportedly traveled approximately 300 feet before it tripped, causing it to roll driver's side first into the northbound lane turnout.

"The vehicle continued to roll multiple times, making contact with an earth embankment and trees," the summary reads. "The SUV struck a large tree, causing it to rebound back toward the highway and ultimately come to an uncontrolled rest on the northbound shoulder."

Sadly, Filcher, who was not wearing his seat belt, did not survive the crash.

Speed a Possible Contributing Factor

The summary lists speed as a possible contributing factor.

There have been 68 reported fatal crashes resulting in 76 deaths in Wyoming this year.