Highway Patrol Releases Details on Fatal Crash North of Laramie

The Wyoming Highway Patrol on Monday announced the death of a Wyoming driver involved in a single-vehicle crash north of Laramie.

The crash happened around 10:38 p.m. on Aug. 16 at the intersection of Wyoming 34 and U.S. 30, also known as Bosler Junction.

According to a fatality crash summary, 76-year-old Jerry Westerfield was headed west and did not slow down or stop at the stop sign at the intersection.

"The vehicle entered the intersection, and the driver suddenly applied the brakes, causing the vehicle to skid just before the edge of the roadway," the summary reads.

The vehicle then reportedly left the highway, going airborne over a steep embankment and the right-of-way fence before landing.

Westerfield was wearing his seat belt and, according to his obituary (see below), was taken to UCHealth Medical Center of the Rockies in Loveland, Colorado, where he died from his injuries on Aug. 19.

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Westerfield May Have Fallen Asleep

The summary lists driver fatigue/asleep as a possible contributing factor.

Westerfield is the fifth reported person to die on Albany County's highways this year.

Jerry Leonard Westerfield
March 29, 1948 — August 19, 2024
Cheyenne
Jerry Leonard Westerfield of Encampment, WY, was born on March 29, 1948, in Parsons, Kansas, and passed away on August 19, 2024, at the Medical Center of the Rockies in Loveland, CO. His life came to a tragic end following a car crash on August 16, just north of Laramie, Wyoming, from which he ultimately succumbed to his injuries.
His educational pursuits included attending schools in Springfield, Missouri, and Cheyenne, Wyoming, graduating from Cheyenne Central High School. Though his time at the University of Wyoming was brief, it marked an important period in his formative years.
Jerry's career began at Mountain Bell in 1971 and he worked for its successor US West through 1999. His career included serving as a central office technician, managing switching and microwave radio equipment, and held various managerial roles throughout his career. His work took him across multiple locations, including Cheyenne, Rawlins and Casper, Wyoming, as well as Fort Collins and Denver, Colorado.
Known for his rugged individualism, Jerry had a rich array of interests and hobbies that painted a picture of a vibrant life. He was not just a dedicated worker; he embraced a variety of activities that included riding motorcycles and snowmobiles, sailing, ballroom and western swing dancing, as well as an amateur ham radio hobby and working on cars. After his retirement he took up playing the cello and was a member of a string quartet that performed around the Platte River valley. He played "O Holy Night" at the Christmas Eve service at the Encampment Presbyterian Church for many years. He also taught cello and violin to many students in Encampment and Rawlins. These interests enriched his life and brought joy to those around him.
He is survived by his brothers, Tom (Shelia) Westerfield (Aurora, IL) and Bill (Ruth) Westerfield (Cheyenne, WY), along with five nieces and nephews: Cara (Nathan) Duell, Jennifer (Mark) Cash, Willy (Whitney) Westerfield, James (Mary) Westerfield, and Brian (Chandra) Westerfield. He was also blessed to have Liz Miranda and her children, Diva Miranda Jones and Chris Miranda, and Ken and Becky Kreusel in his life. He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert Westerfield and Loraine (Bethel) Westerfield.
Jerry's life, marked by resilience and a zest for adventure, will be deeply missed. As family and friends remember him, reflections on his enduring spirit and the joy he brought into their lives will remain cherished memories.
Contributions in Jerry's memory can be made to Jubilante Ensembles of Carbon County, P O Box 2253, Rawlins, WY 82301
A celebration of his life will be held at a later date.