{ “title”: “Wyoming Tow Truck Driver Recovering After I-80 Accident”, “description”: “A tow truck operator from Rock Springs, Wyoming, is recovering in a Casper hospital after a pickup truck struck him on the shoulder of Interstate 80 near Wamsutter. The accident resulted in serious injuries, including the loss of a kidney.”, “tags”: “Wyoming, Interstate 80, tow truck accident, Wamsutter, Zack Krone, Elizabeth Krone”, “rewritten_content”: “A Rock Springs, Wyoming, tow truck operator is recovering in a Casper hospital after a harrowing accident on Interstate 80 near Wamsutter.
Serious Injuries Sustained
Zack Krone was working to clear a semitrailer crash on Wednesday morning when a pickup truck veered off the road and struck him. His wife, Elizabeth, shared details of the accident and Zack’s condition with Cowboy State Daily. The incident resulted in significant injuries, including the loss of a kidney and other internal injuries.
Rock Springs tow truck operator Zack Krone was hit by a rogue pickup while cleaning up a semitrailer crash on Interstate 80 on Wednesday morning. His wife, Elizabeth, tells Cowboy State Daily that he suffered serious injuries and is recovering in a Casper hospital. (Courtesy Photos)
Elizabeth is at Banner Wyoming Medical Center with Zack, awaiting further surgeries. On Wednesday morning, Zack was offloading lumber from a commercial truck onto a nearby flatbed trailer on the shoulder of the interstate when the accident occurred. As he was walking toward his truck, a red Ford pickup, reportedly out of control, hit him between the truck and trailer.
“It lost control and smashed my husband between the truck and trailer,” Elizabeth said.
Eyewitness Cody Stevens reported that the interstate became icy in the area. The driver of the pickup has not been arrested, according to Sweetwater County Attorney Daniel Erramouspe. Further charges are pending the completion of the investigation, Wyoming Highway Patrol Sgt. Jason Roascio confirmed.
Ongoing Recovery and Community Support
Medical personnel had to remove Zack’s kidney and part of his intestine. His stomach remains open, and his intestines have not yet been reconnected, Elizabeth said, but she anticipates they will be sewn together on Friday morning. He also sustained a gash in his right thigh, requiring skin grafts, a shattered right foot, and fractures to his right hand and wrist.
Elizabeth anticipates many tests and treatments ahead, followed by lengthy physical therapy.
Since the accident, Elizabeth has received an outpouring of support from the Rock Springs community, as well as tow trucking families across the nation. Zack’s brother will be managing the business while Elizabeth stays by her husband’s side.
“We just ask everyone to slow down and move over for emergency vehicles or stalled-out vehicles to avoid any accidents out there,” Elizabeth said. “A lot of these accidents could be prevented.”
A GoFundMe page has been created by Zack’s sister-in-law, Nikki Gilbreth, to support his recovery.” }
