Fatal Motorcycle Crash North Of Powell, Wyoming
Written by Caleb Nelson on June 13, 2022
A fatal crash took place near milepost 17 on Wyoming 294 north of Powell on June 12, 2022, according to the Wyoming Highway Patrol. Highway Patrol troopers were notified of a motorcycle collision around 12:20 a.m.
Courtesy of Wyoming Highway Patrol
A recent press release states, “A 2006 Harley Davidson was south on Wyoming 294 when the motorcycle collided with a cow in the roadway.” As the Harley exited the “right side of the road,” the driver corrected to the left. Next, the motorcycle re-entered the highway and “exited the highway a second time” before stopping near the bottom of an embankment.
“The crash location is designated as an open range area for livestock,” Wyoming Highway Patrol states.
The driver of the motorcycle has been identified as “45-year-old” Powell resident “Russell V. Hiatt.” Hiatt succumbed to his injuries at the scene of a crash. The passenger, Powell resident Debra M. Martin, was transported to St. Vincent Hospital in Billings, Montana by medical helicopter.
Although currently unconfirmed, the Wyoming Highway Patrol explains, “Alcohol use is being investigated as a possible contributing factor.”
To date, this fatality represents the 39th death on Wyoming’s roadways in 2022. In 2021 and 2020, there were also 39 roadway fatalities and in 2019 there were 70 fatalities.
