GILLETTE, Wyo. — A 32-year-old Gillette man has died following a two-vehicle crash that happened Wednesday on Garner Lake Road.
Jordan Callender was driving a white 2021 GMC Sierra south on Garner Lake Road when he crossed over the centerline and collided with a red vacuum truck traveling north through a construction zone. Callender was taken to the hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
The driver of the vacuum truck, a 50-year-old man, was treated at the scene. A passenger in the truck, a 39-year-old man, was also treated on site. Neither has been publicly identified.
First Responders Rush to the Scene
The Gillette Police Department was the first agency to arrive after the crash was reported. Officers began life-saving measures on Callender before the Campbell County Sheriff’s Office and the Wyoming Highway Patrol took over the investigation and response.
Emergency crews worked quickly given the location of the crash, which occurred in an active construction zone along Garner Lake Road, a stretch of roadway that sees regular traffic from both local drivers and work crews.
Investigators Still Piecing Together What Happened
As of now, it remains unclear why Callender crossed the centerline before striking the vacuum truck. Investigators have said that brake marks left by the vacuum truck are part of what they are reviewing as they try to reconstruct the moments leading up to the crash.
No further details have been released about whether weather, road conditions, or other factors played a role. The Wyoming Highway Patrol is expected to continue investigating the collision as it works to determine a full sequence of events.
This is at least the latest in a string of serious crashes reported in Campbell County this year, and it serves as a reminder of the dangers drivers face when passing through construction zones, where lane shifts, reduced speeds, and heavy equipment can create unpredictable situations.
Community members have not yet held any public memorial for Callender, though friends and family are expected to share more information in the coming days. No additional details have been released about funeral arrangements at this time.
County 17 will continue to follow this story and provide updates as the Wyoming Highway Patrol releases more information about the cause of the crash. Anyone who may have witnessed the collision or has additional information is encouraged to contact local authorities.
The crash remains under investigation, and officials have not indicated whether any citations will be issued as a result. Garner Lake Road remains a heavily traveled route in Campbell County, and construction crews continue to work in the area as improvements move forward this summer.
