3 Utahns killed in head-on crash in Wyoming

THAYNE, Wyo. — Three Utahns headed to a family reunion were killed and a fourth hospitalized in a violent head-on collision on U.S. 89 in Wyoming Wednesday.

About 1:40 p.m., a 66-year-old woman from Salt Lake City was driving a car along U.S. 89 about one mile outside of Thayne when her vehicle drifted into oncoming traffic for an unknown reason, according to the Wyoming Highway Patrol.

An 18-year-old man driving a pickup truck saw the vehicle headed directly toward him and "took evasive action" to avoid a collision, authorities said. The driver of the truck drove in the opposite lane of travel in an effort to avoid an accident.

At the last moment, however, the woman in the first car tried to get back into her own lane, over-corrected, and hit the pickup truck head-on, according to Wyoming authorities. The front of the pickup ended up on top of the front portion of the Toyota Camry.

Diane K. Duncan, 66, of Salt Lake City, and Milton D. Butler, 80, of Salt Lake City, were killed instantly. Mackenzie A. Christensen, 16, of Sandy, was taken to a hospital in Afton, Wyo., where she later died. Bryson Duncan, 14, of South Jordan, was flown to Primary Children's Medical Center. All four were wearing seat belts.

The driver's daughter, Tracy Herrin of Logan, said the family was heading to a family reunion at the time of the accident. She said Bryson is stable and looking positive. He received head injuries as well as some internal injuries from his seat belt.

According to friends, Mackenzie was excited to start her junior year at Jordan High School and had made the varsity volleyball team earlier this week. Her teammates will reportedly dedicate the upcoming season to Mackenzie by wearing purple, her favorite color.

"She was just the most optimistic person you could ever meet," said Megan Enriquez. "Such a sad loss."

Her friends have also organized a fundraiser at her church to help the Duncan family with funeral costs. 

"We want her whole family to basically know that everyone's here for her and everyone's here for their family," Aly Kuhl said. "If they need anything, we're going to be here."

The driver and two passengers of the truck, all between the ages of 18 and 20 and from Smoot, Star Valley and Thayne, Wyo., were treated at a local hospital and later released.

U.S. 89 was closed for about 4 ½ hours in that area while crews attended to the accident.

Contributing: Sandra Yi

E-mail: preavy@desnews.com

Twitter: DNewsCrimeTeam