GILLETTE, Wyo. — A man reportedly died while being pursued by deputies after he fled from a drug-related search on Interstate 90 last night, Undersheriff Quentin Reynolds said Thursday.
The man was identified as a 33-year-old passenger in a Chevrolet Cruz operated by a 21-year-old woman. According to Reynolds, the vehicle didn’t have an operational registration light and was stopped at mile marker 128 on I-90 around 11:53 p.m.
During the stop, a drug dog indicated there were drugs in the vehicle and deputies had both occupants exit in preparation for a search, Reynolds said. The man reportedly fled on foot when deputies told him he would be searched despite his objections.
Deputies pursued the man and were approximately 25 yards behind him when they heard a gunshot from the suspect, who immediately fell to the ground, Reynolds said.
Upon reaching the man, deputies initiated life-saving measures. The man was transported to Campbell County Health, where he was ultimately pronounced deceased, per Reynolds.
According to the report, deputies searched the man’s personal property and located two containers with suspected crystal methamphetamine inside. One container weighed 1.14 grams without packaging while the other weighed 4.54 grams with packaging.
Correction (March 8, 2025): A previous version of this story incorrectly stated the reason for the traffic stop. The vehicle was stopped after deputies observed it driving with an inoperable registration light.
Correction (March 10, 2025): The Campbell County Sheriff’s Office provided an incorrect age for the driver of the vehicle. Undersheriff Quentin Reynolds has confirmed the vehicle was operated by a 21-year-old woman.
