Diabetic incident investigated as cause of fatality

WORLAND — The Wyoming Highway Patrol is investigating a diabetic incident as the possible cause of a fatal crash that occurred Wednesday at about 4:25 p.m.

According to Wyoming Highway Patrol Lt. Karl Germain, Michael Foster, 58, of Worland was traveling westbound on U.S. 16 when his 1997 Geo ran off the road and struck a power pole.

Foster, the vehicle’s sole occupant was pronounced dead at the scene, a few miles east of Worland.

Germain said Foster briefly left the roadway before entering a sideways slide. The vehicle then began sliding backward before striking a power pole. It became wrapped around the pole before becoming engulfed in flames.

Although the power pole was cracked and needs to be replaced, no power lines were downed, Germain said.

Germain said drugs and alcohol have been ruled out as a contributing factor, but Foster did have a history of diabetes.

According to Germain, an autopsy will be performed at which time it will be determined if low blood sugar played a factor in the incident.

It is not known if Foster was wearing his seatbelt due to the condition of his vehicle, Germain said.

Several small grass fires were ignited as a result of the crash and were subsequently extinguished, Germain said.

Washakie County Sheriff Steve Rakness said the crash was the first fatal crash in Washakie County this year.

According to Andrea Jones with the Wyoming Department of Transportation, there have been 70 fatal crashes in Wyoming. That does not include Wednesday’s fatal crash.

In addition to the Wyoming Highway Patrol, the Washakie County Sheriff’s Office, Worland Fire and Worland Ambulance responded to the scene.

More information will be made available as it is released.