Casper Woman Dies in Crash, Suspected of Texting While Driving
A 25-year-old Casper woman who is thought to have been texting while driving was killed in a crash east of Lusk Wednesday afternoon.
Kellie Walbridge was driving a 2004 Buick Rendezvous SUV eastbound on US 20. At 12:01 p.m. near mile post 53, about 12 miles east of Lusk, the SUV left the road to the south and was overcorrected before it tripped and rolled multiple times.
Walbridge was wearing her seat belt improperly, according to a news release from the Wyoming Highway Patrol. She was reportedly using only the lap belt portion of the seat belt and not the shoulder belt.
Walbridge was partially thrown from the vehicle during the crash and died at the scene.
Two children who were in proper child seats during the crash were both taken by ambulance to Niobrara Community Hospital in Lusk, where they were treated and released.
Troopers suspect texting while driving contributed to the crash.
Walbridge was the 83rd person killed on Wyoming highways in 2016. The same period in 2015 saw 111 highway deaths statewide.