Highway Patrol investigating fatal crash south of Wheatland

CHEYENNE (WNE) — On Saturday, at approximately 12:48 p.m., Wyoming Highway Patrol troopers were alerted to a single-vehicle crash on Interstate 25 south of Wheatland.

A 2011 Dodge Caravan minivan, traveling southbound, entered exit 68 at a high rate of speed, despite the posted 25 mph speed limit for the exit. The vehicle continued straight, hitting a guardrail and becoming airborne before landing at the bottom of the nearby embankment and rolling once.

The driver was identified as Larry Pendleton, 55, of Chugwater. Pendleton was taken by helicopter to UCHealth Medical Center of the Rockies, where he succumbed to his injuries on Sunday.

High rate of speed, driver inattention and a possible medical condition are being looked at as causes in this deadly crash. During the investigation, it was also found that Pendleton was not wearing his seat belt at the time of the crash.

There have been 64 fatalities on Wyoming highways so far in 2025.

This story was published on July 25, 2025.