Fatal Crash South Of Lusk, Wyoming

On March 20, 2019, a fatal crash occurred at milepost 138 on US 85 south of Lusk, Wyoming.  Around 8:19 a.m., Wyoming Highway Patrol troopers were dispatched to the area for a two-vehicle collision.

A 2018 Nissan Sentra was traveling northbound on US 85 when the driver failed to negotiate a slight curve to the right and crossed over the center line.  The Nissan entered the southbound lane and collided with 2016 Peterbilt 379.    

The driver of the Nissan has been identified as 29-year-old Merced, California resident Ezquiel C. Castillo.  Castillo was wearing his seatbelt and transported to the Niobrara Community Hospital for injuries he sustained in the crash.  The passenger in the front seat of the vehicle has been identified as 35-year-old Modesto, California resident Christopher E. Rodriguez.  Rodriguez was wearing his seatbelt and transported to the Niobrara Community Hospital for injuries he sustained at the scene of the crash.  The passenger in the back of the vehicle has been identified as San Francisco, California resident Adam R. Castillo.  Adam Castillo was not wearing a seatbelt and succumbed to injuries he sustained at the scene of the crash. 

The driver of the Peterbilt has been identified as 63-year-old Torrington, Wyoming resident Martin J. Reed.  Reed was wearing his seatbelt and not injured in the crash.    

Driver fatigue on the part of Castillo is being investigated as a contributing factor.

This is the 34^th fatality on Wyoming’s roadways in 2019 compared to 17 in 2018, 19 in 2017, and 10 in 2016 to date.