HSCHS graduate killed in Fremont County vehicle crash

According to information released by the Wyoming Highway Patrol, a fatal crash north of Riverton on Saturday, Nov. 14 resulted in the death of 25-year-old Michael J. Porath, a 2008 graduate of Hot Springs County High School. At the time of his death, Porath was living and working in Casper.

The crash involved two vehicles on Wyoming State Highway 789 at mile post 109 just north of the city limits of Riverton at 3:09 p.m.

Porath was driving a 1986 Chevrolet Silverado pickup southbound on WY 789 when for unknown reasons, he braked hard locking up the brakes on the pickup. After the braking, the pickup entered a spin. During the spin, the truck traveled across WY 789 and crashed into a northbound 2014 Kenworth tractor with trailer driven by 60-year-old Choteau, Mont. resident Richard Chadwick. 

After the initial collision with the Chevy, the Kenworth tripped and rolled over causing some of the load in the trailer, identified as soda ash, to spill onto the highway. 

Porath was ejected and sustained fatal injuries on scene. It is unknown if he was wearing his seat belt.

Chadwick, who was wearing his seat belt, was transported by ground ambulance to SageWest Hospital in Riverton where he was treated and released. 

The crash did cause a temporary closure of the highway with traffic being detoured around the crash scene.

Speed is currently being investigated as the contributing factor in this crash.

Porath marked the 132nd highway fatality in Wyoming for 2015 compared to 135 fatalities in the same time period in 2014.