On June 7, 2018 a motor vehicle crash occurred at mile marker 179.8 north of Lusk on US 18/US 85. Chea Johns, 28, of Meeker, Colo. was the driver of a GMC pickup traveling southbound on US Hwy 85. Mathew Allen, 34, of Kelseyville, Calif. was the driver of a northbound Ram pickup accompanied by passenger Dale Allen, 73, of Vacaville, Calif.

According to the Wyoming Highway Patrol report, evidence on the scene and witness statements indicate the GMC pickup crossed into the northbound lane. The driver of the Ram pickup steered his vehicle towards the ditch to avoid a head on collision. The GMC pickup made first contact with the Ram pickup near the rear driver side door in an opposing direction sideswipe collision. The Ram pickup had a large slide in type camper in the box of the truck. As the GMC pickup continued down the side of the Ram pickup, it contacted the slide in camper that extended outside of the box. The front edge of the camper struck the GMC pickup in the area of the “A” pillar and significantly intruded into the vehicle. The GMC pickup and the Ram pickup maintained contact and the GMC pickup struck a boat and boat trailer being pulled by the Ram pickup. After the vehicles separated, the GMC pickup crossed the northbound lane and came to rest in the northbound borrow ditch. The boat and trailer being pulled by the Ram pickup separated from each other. The boat and trailer came to rest separately in the northbound barrow ditch. The driver of the Ram pickup lost control of his vehicle after attempting to avoid a collision. The Ram pickup rolled 3/4 time and came to rest on the left side in the roadway.

Johns was life flighted to Rapid City Regional Hospital via helicopter from the scene where she succumbed from her injuries. The others involved refused treatment at the scene.