JACKSON, Wyo. — Two drivers died and four others were injured in yesterday’s multi-vehicle crash on Teton Pass that closed the commuter artery for nearly 12 hours.

Wyoming Highway Patrol (WHP) was alerted to the crash at mile marker 6.8 around 11:45 a.m. on Tuesday. The collision occurred just west of Old Pass Road on WY22. WHP stated in a press release that equipment failure is believed to be the primary cause of the fatal crash. The incident remains under investigation, and possible citations or charges are pending.

“Initial investigations indicated that a dump truck hauling asphalt traveling eastbound down the pass had lost control and rear-ended a motorcycle,” WHP wrote in a press release. “The motorcycle skidded across the westbound lane of travel before coming to rest on the westbound shoulder of the highway.”

The dump truck continued eastbound, rear-ending a Chevrolet pickup truck and setting off a chain reaction, per WHP. The Chevrolet crossed the center line and collided head-on with a Ford F-150, which overturned and went off the north side of the road, hitting an electronic sign before landing on its side. The Chevrolet spun and came to a stop in the middle of the westbound lane.

Screenshot: WYDOT webcam

The investigation found that the dump truck kept traveling downhill, hitting the guardrail on the south side of the road before spinning out of control and rolling onto its side across both travel lanes. As it continued to slide, the dump truck spilled asphalt on the roadway. A westbound Chevrolet Equinox swerved to avoid the dump truck, but was sideswiped by the bed of the truck.

“The dump truck then collided with a westbound Subaru Outback before both vehicles collided with a drainage ditch, with the Subaru rolling before coming to a rest on its roof,” WHP wrote. “The dump truck was then airborne, landing on its passenger side in the eastbound lane.”

Jackson Hole Fire/EMS responded and transported the four injured patients to St. John’s Health. Nicholas Besobrasow, a 66-year-old Tetonia resident, was driving the Ford F-150 and died at the scene. The driver of the Subaru Outback, 57-year-old David Page, of Mammoth Lakes, California, also died at the scene.

Teton Pass was closed from 12:06 to 11:22 p.m. These are the 59th and 60th fatalities on Wyoming roadways this year.

Monica is a Staff Reporter who studied journalism at Syracuse University and has been in the valley since 2015. She loves writing about the local food and bev scene, especially craft beer. When she’s not on the clock, you can find her paddle boarding, sewing, or whipping up a new recipe at home.