Residents in the town of Chugwater are coming to terms with the loss of a popular local business.

For many years, the Horton's Corner gas station in Chugwater was a place for travelers along Interstate-25 to visit for gas, food and souvenirs.

The building was destroyed Sunday night (December 30th), after the Platte County Sheriff's Department says a car plowed into the front of the building, sparking a massive fire.

Dianne Parker is a Chugwater High School Graduate, and was visiting family nearby when it happened.

She says the gas station was a staple and a hub for many of the locals as well.

"For the people of Chugwater, Horton's Corner was not just a gas station, it was a place where everyone would go to get their movie rentals, we would go to get coffee, grab a bite to eat for lunch, maybe after basketball practice, go get some Gatorade, and it's hard to believe that so many memories from my youth have gone up in flames."

Parker says according to the Chugwater mayor, the town is working on a fuel plan for town vehicles and the volunteer fire department.

The next closest gas station is about 25 miles away in Wheatland.

The Platte County Sheriff's Office has identified the driver of the vehicle as 42 year old John Barberini, who had a last known address in Casper.

He has been charged with reckless driving and no insurance.

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