Glenrock, Wyoming – A fatal head-on collision triggered by a deer crossing the roadway claimed the life of a 57-year-old man Sunday evening on a rural stretch of highway near Glenrock and Rolling Hills, according to state transportation and law enforcement officials.
The crash occurred just before sunset when an attempt to avoid wildlife caused one vehicle to cross into oncoming traffic, resulting in a violent impact that investigators say is still under review.
Incident Overview
The deadly collision happened on January 12 at approximately 5:41 p.m. on WY-95 (Monkey Road) near mile marker 4.2, just outside the town limits of Glenrock. Authorities confirmed that three people were involved in the crash, though only one fatality has been reported.
The victim was later identified as Cory Yingling, 57, who was traveling in a Dodge Stratus at the time of the incident.
Timeline of Events
According to a January 14 preliminary report released by the Wyoming Department of Transportation, the sequence of events unfolded rapidly:
A deer ran west across the roadway, directly into the path of the northbound Dodge Stratus. In an attempt to avoid striking the animal, the driver swerved left. Despite this maneuver, the vehicle struck the deer with the front-right portion of the car.
Following the impact, the Dodge continued into the southbound lane, where it collided head-on with a Chevrolet Silverado traveling in the opposite direction.
Details From Police and Officials
The Wyoming Highway Patrol responded to the crash and secured the scene. Senior Public Relations Specialist PIO Aaron Brown confirmed that the incident occurred during early evening hours, a time when wildlife activity is known to increase.
“A collision between two vehicles on Highway 95 resulted in one fatality,” Brown said. “At this time, we are unable to release additional details regarding the cause pending further investigation.”
Officials noted that the crash occurred between 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., consistent with the WYDOT report.
Key Facts Confirmed by Investigators
Several critical details have been confirmed by state authorities:
• Victim: Cory Yingling, 57
• Date: January 12
• Time: Approximately 5:41 p.m.
• Location: WY-95 near mile marker 4.2, outside Glenrock and Rolling Hills
• Vehicles involved: Chevrolet Silverado and Dodge Stratus
• Total people involved: Three
The WYDOT report also states that a seat belt was not in use by Yingling at the time of the collision.
Possible Contributing Factors
In addition to wildlife involvement, investigators are examining other potential contributing elements. The preliminary report notes that possible cell phone usage may have played a role in the crash, though officials did not specify which driver may have been using a device.
Authorities emphasized that this detail remains under investigation and should not be interpreted as a confirmed cause at this stage.
More information from the Wyoming Department of Transportation was included in its preliminary safety assessment, which outlines how wildlife-related crashes remain a persistent hazard on Wyoming highways. Additional roadway safety data is available through state transportation updates published by WYDOT.
Wildlife and Highway Safety in Wyoming
Wyoming consistently ranks among states with higher rates of vehicle–wildlife collisions, particularly during winter months when deer and elk move closer to roadways in search of food.
Safety experts advise drivers to reduce speed during dusk hours, remain alert in posted wildlife zones, and avoid sudden swerving, which can lead to loss of vehicle control or head-on impacts.
Seat belt use is also a major factor in survivability during high-impact collisions, especially on rural highways with higher speed limits.
Ongoing Investigation
The Wyoming Highway Patrol continues to review crash data, vehicle damage, and witness information to determine whether additional contributing factors played a role. No charges have been announced, and officials have not released information about the condition of the other individuals involved.
Conclusion
The fatal crash near Glenrock underscores the dangers posed by wildlife crossings on rural highways and the split-second decisions drivers are forced to make. As investigators continue their review, officials are urging motorists to remain vigilant, buckle up, and exercise caution during peak wildlife movement hours.
If you regularly travel Wyoming highways or have experienced close calls involving wildlife, share your experiences in the comments below.
