Two die in crash on Highway 85

Alexis Barker
NLJ Reporter
 
Two people were killed in an April 30 head-on collision at milepost 215 on U.S. Highway 85 south of Newcastle, according to the Wyoming Highway Patrol. 
A 2014 Chrysler Town and Country was traveling northbound on U.S. 85 when the vehicle crossed the center line into the southbound lane to pass another vehicle, according to the highway patrol’s accident report. The driver was unable to see an oncoming 2004 Lincoln Town Car due to the rain mist, the report states, and the vehicles then collided head-on. 
The driver of the Lincoln, 84-year-old Cheyenne, Wyo., resident Harry J. Mueller, was wearing his seat belt but succumbed to his injuries at the scene. 
The passenger in his vehicle, 82-year-old Cheyenne resident Margaret J. Mueller, was also wearing her seat belt. She was transported to Weston County Health Services for injuries sustained during the accident. 
The driver of the Chrysler has been identified as 76-year-old Spooner, Wisc., resident Bernard W. Holman. Holman was wearing his seat belt and was transported to Weston County Health Services, where he succumbed to injuries sustained during the accident. 
The passenger of Holman’s vehicle has been identified as 78-year-old Bonnie M. Steward, also of Spooner. Stewart was wearing her seat belt and was transported to Weston County Health Services for injuries sustained during the accident. 
The highway patrol reported that poor visibility is being investigated as a contributing factor. 
These two fatalities mark the 50th and 51st fatalities on Wyoming’s roadways in 2019, compared with 26 in 2018, 33 in 2017 and 14 in 2016, to date, according to the patrol.