Patrol Identifies Four Washout Accident Victims, One Survivor

The Wyoming Highway Patrol has released the identity of the four Coloradans killed this morning when their van drove into a washed out portion of Wyo. 130, Snowy Range Road, near Ryan Park.

According to WHP spokesman Sgt. Steven Townsend, a mother and three children drowned in flash flood waters after their 1991 VW camper van plunged into a washed out section of Wyo. 130.

Laurel Constantindes, 39, daughters Hanna, 8, Zoey, 5, and Lucia, 2, were unable to escape the van after it was carried about 75 yards from the road. Alex Constantindes, also 39, was able to escape. He is currently hospitalized at the Carbon County Memorial Hospital in Rawlins.

The Constantindes are residents of Colorado Springs. They were camping in the Ryan Park area when emergency officials began evacuating campgrounds in the area due to flash flood concerns. Townsend says the Patrol estimates they crashed between 1:15 and 1:40 am.

Later this morning, Carbon County Emergency Management Director John Zeiger also drove into the washout in a county Dodge Durango utility, which was carried 45 yards by floodwaters. Zeiger had been responding to the area to help evacuate campers. Alex Constantindes and another person helped Zeiger out.

Wyo. 130 will remain closed until waters recede and repairs can be effected. WYDOT estimates it will be at least a week before conditions allow equipment near enough the washout but is staging equipment nearby.