CAMPBELL COUNTY, WYOMING — Four teenagers survived a violent collision with two semi-trucks on Wyoming Highway 59 after the driver allegedly attempted an illegal passing maneuver while under the influence of alcohol, the Wyoming Highway Patrol said.

At approximately 8:20 p.m. on March 8, 2026, troopers were dispatched to mile marker 84 on WY 59 for a crash involving three vehicles. A Chevrolet Impala carrying four passengers was traveling northbound when the driver pulled into the southbound lane to pass three vehicles in a no passing zone. While attempting to pass, the Impala was struck by a semi-truck, bouncing it back into the northbound lane, where it was struck again by a second semi-truck. The driver side wheel was ripped off the car, along with the door panel and driver side door.

^{Photo credit: Wyoming Highway Patrol}

All four occupants of the vehicle were teenagers. Troopers found alcohol in the vehicle and determined that the minors had been drinking. The driver, 18-year-old Trystin Smith of Gillette, was arrested for DUI and additionally cited for careless driving, driving under suspension, minor in possession of alcohol, and failure to wear a seatbelt. Two juvenile passengers were transported to a hospital with minor injuries and were later released. No injuries to the semi-truck drivers were reported.

Wyoming Highway Patrol used the incident as a stark reminder of the dangers of impaired driving. "Safe driving starts outside the car with good decision making. This crash involved highway speeds, alcohol, and minors in possession of alcohol – and it could have been much, much worse than it was. The Wyoming Highway Patrol implores all drivers to never drink and drive and always buckle up," WHP said. "Drinking and driving is never a good idea. Drinking underage and driving just makes a bad situation worse."

📸 Image(s) used under fair use for news reporting.