WyoTech Student Killed, 3 Injured in Crash South of Laramie

The Wyoming Highway Patrol says speed may be to blame for a single-vehicle rollover crash south of Laramie that left a WyoTech student dead and three others injured.

The crash happened around 8:40 p.m. last Sunday, Nov. 19, around mile marker 417 on U.S. 287 near Tie Siding.

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According to a fatality crash summary, 18-year-old Texas resident Gabriel Soria Bacani was riding in a northbound Honda Civic when the driver, who was going too fast for the icy road conditions, lost traction while negotiating a right-hand curve and the car started spinning clockwise.

The driver then reportedly overcorrected to the left, causing the car to rotate counterclockwise, go off the left-hand side of the highway, and into the median, where it tripped and rolled at least one complete time.

Gabriel was not wearing his seat belt and died from his injuries. The driver and two other passengers were also reportedly injured in the crash, but the patrol did not say to what extent.

Gabriel is the ninth person to die on Albany County's highways so far this year.

According to his obituary (see below), Gabriel graduated from San Benito High School in 2023 and was attending WyoTech in Laramie.

He loved to go fishing, camping, to the beach, and on road trips.

Gabriel Ysaac Soria
July 9, 2005 ~ November 19, 2023

Our son Gabriel Ysaac Soria (aka, Gabe, Gabbos, Taz, ‘the Lion’) who lived so honorably, loved so deeply, and laughed ever so contagiously has gone to be with our Lord and Savior to forever fish the heavenly rivers, lakes, and oceans.

He was born to Jose and Alma Soria on July 09, 2005 in Harlingen, TX. Gabriel graduated from San Benito High School in 2023, and was attending Wyotech in Laramie, WY.

Gabriel loved the adventure of life; he loved to go fishing, camping, to the beach, and on road trips (even if it was just a tiny road trip just for snacks or late night munchies). He touched so many hearts and minds, and left his mark tattooed on the soul of everyone he called friend or family. A mature gentleman who mentored and set an example to those who looked up to and respected him, and even to the occasional adult.

Gabriel chased his dream and lived a grand life, and he will forever live in our hearts and minds. His Pure spirit was such that he left a profound impact everywhere he went.

He is survived by his parents, Jose and Alma Soria; his siblings, Brandon Marquez, Cameron Marquez (Jasmine), Ysabel Soria (Abraham), and baby brother Jose “J.R.” Soria; as well as his grandparents Isaac and Yrma Soria and Raymundo and Avelina Bacani; his godparents, Angie Soria and Christian Andrade, Isaac Soria and Sarah Lambert, and Sonia de la Cruz.

The Soria family will receive friends and relatives on Thursday, November 30th and Friday, December 1st from 12:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Buck Ashcraft San Benito Funeral Home. A recitation of the Holy Rosary will begin at 7 0’clock on Thursday and Friday evening. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, December 2nd at 12:00 p.m. at St. Benedict Catholic Church. Following the Mass, Gabriel will be laid to rest at Las Yescas Cemetery.

Honored to serve as pallbearers are Brandon Marquez, Cameron Marquez, Sebastian Andrade, Pablo Jaure, Abraham De Leon, Ryan Garza, and Corey Lopez. Jose "J.R." Soria, Isaac "Peanut" Soria lll and Salvador "Chava" Andrade

For memorial gifts a memorial fund has been set up: Zelle - 956-493-1945 or Cashapp - $AlmaBacani.

2022's Deadliest Wyoming County by Traffic Deaths

While car crashes can occur anywhere, some roads in Wyoming are more dangerous than others.

According to Wyoming Highway Patrol data, there were 117 fatal crashes in the Cowboy State in 2022 resulting in 133 deaths.

Of those fatal crashes, the majority (13.68%) occurred in Laramie County -- two in January, one in February, one in March, two in April, one in June, two in July, three in August, two in September, one in November, and one in December.

Sweetwater County saw the second most fatal crashes last year, 12, while Fremont and Lincoln counties each saw 10.

Albany and Park counties each recorded eight, and Campbell, Converse, and Natrona counties each tallied seven.

The deadliest 2022 crash in Laramie County took place on June 17 when two semis collided on Interstate 80 east of Cheyenne and immediately became engulfed in flames killing both drivers and a passenger.

Laramie County also saw two fatal crashes involving motorcyclists, two fatal crashes involving juveniles, and a fatal crash involving a pedestrian last year.

Below is the Wyoming Highway Patrol narrative of every fatal crash that occurred in Laramie County in 2022.

Gallery Credit: Joy Greenwald