PHOTO BY ALPINE FIRE DEPARTMENT

• Speed and impairment being investigated as factors

In the early morning hours of Friday, August 8, the Alpine Fire Department, Star Valley EMS and the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office joined the Wyoming Highway Patrol (WHP) on a call of a single-vehicle accident in the Snake River Canyon which claimed the life of a local man. 

Theodore Filcher, 47, of Alpine, was pronounced dead at the scene after his Toyota 4-Runner left the roadway at a high rate of speed and flipped multiple times, ejecting Mr. Filcher from the vehicle. 

According to the WHP, the “4-Runner was southbound on U.S 89 at mile marker 121.5 and approached a right turn in the highway. The vehicle exited the roadway to the northbound shoulder and began to rotate in a driver’s side-leaning slide. The vehicle traveled approximately 300 feet before it tripped, causing the SUV to roll driver’s side first into the northbound lane turnout.” 

The time of the accident was approximately 2:50 a.m.

“The vehicle continued to roll multiple times, making contact with an embankment and trees,” The WHP stated. “The SUV struck a large tree, causing it to rebound back toward the highway and ultimately come to an uncontrolled rest on the northbound shoulder.”

Speed and driver impairment are being investigated by the WHP as contributing factors in the accident. 

Trooper Mike Merritt praised the work of the Alpine Fire Department and asked that area drivers not drink and drive and please use their safety belts.