Ririe man charged with vehicular homicide following fatal Teton Pass crash

JACKSON, Wyo. (KIFI) — A Ririe man is facing charges in connection with the Teton Pass crash that killed two people in July. 22-year-old Laiton George McMinn is facing two counts of homicide by vehicle. 

Court records say a Wyoming Highway Patrol trooper determined that McMinn was going too fast, overused the brakes, and did not use the runaway truck escape ramp. The probable cause affidavit stated that McMinn has held a commercial driver's license for three years and "should have never gotten himself in this situation in the first place."

The trooper said the crash was not the result of a mechanical error.

The crash killed two men and seriously injured three others. Homicide by vehicle is a high misdemeanor in Wyoming, punishable by up to one year in jail, a two-thousand-dollar fine, or both.

RELATED: Coroner releases names of two men killed in tragic Teton Pass crash

In response, local advocates, the "Make Teton Pass Safer Steering Committee," say the new charges do not solve the underlying dangers on Teton Pass.

"We appreciate the new signage WYDOT has installed on the eastbound approaches. It is a real step, and it is not enough. We are asking for additional warning signage, particularly on the eastbound descent grade; a vehicle checkpoint at the Wyoming–Idaho state line; and better messaging..." states the group.

The group is also urging GPS apps like Google Maps and Waze to join Apple in adding navigation alerts for drivers approaching the steep pass.