Speed, Alcohol Possibly to Blame in Deadly Albany County Crash

The Albany County Sheriff's Office says speed and alcohol consumption may be to blame for a UTV crash that left a Laramie woman dead.

Sheriff Aaron Appelhans says his office, the Laramie Fire Department, the Big Laramie Volunteer Fire Department, the WYCO Volunteer Fire Department, the Wyoming Highway Patrol, and Classic Air Medical were called to the crash scene near milepost 1 on Pelton Creek Road at 3:17 p.m. on Saturday, June 17.

Appelhans says 30-year-old Salvador Gonzalez and 27-year-old Nicole Harnden, both of Laramie, were traveling in a UTV when Gonzalez, who was behind the wheel, rolled it.

Gonzalez was airlifted to UCHealth Medical Center of the Rockies in Loveland for his injuries, but Harnden died at the scene.

Appelhans says neither one of them was wearing a seat belt or protective gear.

"Our condolences go out to the families involved," he said.

According to her obituary, Harnden's love for nursing led her to the Branch Director position with Enhabit Home Health where she was dedicated to the people she cared for.

She loved being outdoors with her family and dogs and attending music festivals, but most of all she loved her son, Andreas.

Appelhans says Harnden and Gonzalez were not related.

"Any further updates on their relationship are unknown at this time," he said.

Appelhans says the crash is being investigated jointly between his office and the Wyoming Highway Patrol.

2022's Deadliest Wyoming County by Traffic Deaths

While car crashes can occur anywhere, some roads in Wyoming are more dangerous than others.

According to Wyoming Highway Patrol data, there were 117 fatal crashes in the Cowboy State in 2022 resulting in 133 deaths.

Of those fatal crashes, the majority (13.68%) occurred in Laramie County -- two in January, one in February, one in March, two in April, one in June, two in July, three in August, two in September, one in November, and one in December.

Sweetwater County saw the second most fatal crashes last year, 12, while Fremont and Lincoln counties each saw 10.

Albany and Park counties each recorded eight, and Campbell, Converse, and Natrona counties each tallied seven.

The deadliest 2022 crash in Laramie County took place on June 17 when two semis collided on Interstate 80 east of Cheyenne and immediately became engulfed in flames killing both drivers and a passenger.

Laramie County also saw two fatal crashes involving motorcyclists, two fatal crashes involving juveniles, and a fatal crash involving a pedestrian last year.

Below is the Wyoming Highway Patrol narrative of every fatal crash that occurred in Laramie County in 2022.