CASPER, Wyo. – Law enforcement officials in the Wyoming community of Saratoga say that a man who collided with fuel pumps and structure at a Saratoga gas station, was hospitalized but remains yet to be identified.
Saratoga Police Chief Ken Lehr says that emergency dispatch received calls on June 1, 2020 of a car that had collided with the Kum and Go gas station and convenience store on South 1st Street in Saratoga.
Police estimate that the vehicle had been traveling at speeds between 90 and 100 miles an hour, as the vehicle entered the community of Saratoga.
“[The vehicle] swerved to avoid a vehicle at the intersection and hit the curb,” Lehr says. “After it hit the curb it took out a ten foot section of a power pole, at which time it became airborne and flew into the gas pumps at the Kum and Go, striking the support beam for the awning.”
Lehr goes on to say that bystanders that were at the pump at the time of crash were injured. The nature of the injuries was not available, but the chief says two bystanders were treated and released.
“A gentleman at one pump was knocked forward in front of his truck, and his wife was in [the truck,]” Lehr said. “Another gentleman had to dive under his truck to avoid more serious injury.”
The driver of the speeding vehicle reportedly came to rest on top of the gas pumps. He was then taken by aircraft to a Casper Hospital.
Lehr said that while shaken, he was proud of the way the town of Saratoga came together during an emergency, saying that residents were on hand to help in the moment and with clean up.
The Kum and Go is one of two gas stations in the Saratoga community. Lehr said that due to the incident, fuel was not going to be available at the Kum and Go.
The as yet unidentified suspect could be facing multiple charges, pending the conclusions of the ongoing investigation.
All of those cited or arrested are presumed innocent until convicted in a court of law. Charges are subject to change following official filings from the Carbon County District Attorney’s Office.
