Montana Man Dies After Motorcycle Hit by Semi in Wyoming

LARAMIE, Wyo. (AP) — A Minnesota truck driver was arrested on suspicion of hitting and killing a motorcyclist east of Laramie and leaving the scene.

Sixty-one-year-old John E. Valyou of Columbus, Montana, died Sunday morning when his motorcycle was struck in the westbound lanes of Interstate 80, about a mile east of Laramie.

The Wyoming Highway Patrol says the driver of the semi tractor-trailer — 59-year-old Thomas D. Vannest of Pequot Lakes, Minnesota — was pulled over about 29 miles west of the crash site. He was arrested on suspicion of careless driving, failure to report a crash and failure to maintain a single lane of travel. Vannest could face additional charges.

Albany County Attorney Peggy Trent did not immediately return a phone call Monday seeking to learn if charges had been filed or if Vannest had an attorney available for comment.