Wyoming Student Died From Head Injury; Investigation Continues
A 14-year-old Wyoming student died last month after falling from the hood of a car and hitting his head on the asphalt in a school parking lot, according to the town's police chief.
Ryder Haderlie was a ninth-grade student at Star Valley High School when he was seriously injured on the evening of Sept. 12, Afton Police Chief Jason Romberg told K2 Radio News on Wednesday. Haderlie was life-flighted to Eastern Idaho Medical Center in Idaho Falls, where he passed away the following morning.
According to Romberg, Haderlie had jumped up onto the hood of a car. The vehicle then began to move forward at a very low rate of speed; Romberg said the vehicle was estimated to have been traveling at no more than 15 mph.
Haderlie reportedly began to slip as he stood on the hood of the car, and at that point the female driver applied the brakes. That's when Haderlie fell backward off of the car and hit his head on the pavement.
The female driver was not the only occupant of the car at the time Haderlie fell, Romberg said.
The incident remains under investigation.
Romberg said he would be able to make a statement regarding the incident once the investigative report is finalized and is reviewed by the county attorney's office. At that stage, prosecutors would decide whether to press charges in connection with the incident.
Because all persons involved are juveniles, Romberg said he is unable to release further information until that point.
Matt Erickson, superintendent of Lincoln County School District No. 2, previously told K2 Radio News that Haderlie's death was an unfortunate accident, and no one is at fault.