Two Women Die in Tragic Traffic Accident on Cody/Powell Highway
Written by Andrew-Rossi on February 28, 2023
The Wyoming Highway Patrol released details on the fatal crash on Highway 14-A near Powell after a pickup truck lost control, crossed five lanes, and collided with a tractor-trailer.
The Wyoming Highway Patrol released details on a tragic traffic accident on the Powell Highway on Friday, Feb. 24. The accident occurred around 12:45 p.m. at Milepost 14 near the Heart Mountain Interpretive Center.
According to the W.H.P., a Chevy Silverado was traveling eastbound on U.S. Highway 14A, and a Volvo tractor-trailer was traveling westbound on an ice-covered roadway. The Chevy Silverado lost control as it went across a bridge deck. The Silverado started spinning in a counterclockwise direction across all five highway lanes and into the path of the oncoming tractor-trailer. The Silverado impacted the front of the tractor-trailer with the tailgate area, causing severe damage to the pickup truck.
Courtesy of Wyoming Highway Patrol
22-year-old Shannah Nelson and 20-year-old Wendy Nelson – the driver and passenger in the Chevy Silverado – died at the scene of the crash.
The tractor-trailer driver, an unidentified Cody resident, was not injured. Ice and snow on the highway are believed to have contributed to the fatal crash.
Shannah Nelson married John Daniel Nelson of Carthage, Illinois, on July 25th, 2020, and they moved to Powell, Wyoming, in December of that year. Their son, Jesse Doran Nelson, was born on April 17th, 2021.
Wendy Nelson was born in Moose Lake, Minnesota, on November 11, 2002. Wendy was a home school graduate and lived in Hinckley, Minnesota, until her family relocated to Powell, where she was employed by George’s Dairy Farms. She is survived by her parents; Larry and Brenda Nelson; her brother Shane; her sisters, Niki (Jed) Burger, Ericka Nelson, Eliza Nelson, Sofia Heesaker, and Linnea Nelson.
Funeral Services for Shannah and Wendy Nelson will be held on Thursday, March 2, at 10:00 am at the New Life Church in Powell. A Livestream of services will be available at newlifepowell.com
