Distracted driving causes crash

Fred Lombardi, 53, of Casper was making a turn onto the Wedding of the Waters road north of the mouth of Wind River Canyon Friday. Distracted by his cell phone, Peter St. Clair, 32, of Bar Nunn collided with the backside of Lombardi’s car. St. Clair’s truck was traveling at the posted speed limit when it made contact.

The car was sling-shotted across the west shoulder through several fences coming to a stop several hundred feet from the initial impact.

Emergency teams responded, the driver of the car had to be extracted. Both driver’s were transported to the hospital. St. Clair suffered a broken hand while Lombardi was reported to only have s few scrapes.

St. Clair was cited for careless driving and improperly wearing a seat belt. The investigating Wyoming Highway Patrol Trooper Reginia Schulmeister is concerned that so many drivers fail to use their seatbelts properly or at all. “Getting everyone to wear their seat belt, that is my goal,” said Schulmiester.