A cement dust cloud obscured visibility on College Drive before a fatal crash
A 33-year-old city street sweeper was killed on October 22 after a cloud of cement powder created near-zero visibility on College Drive, according to Cheyenne police. Damon Shaw was operating a street sweeper to clean up a large spill of powdered cement near a concrete plant when his vehicle was rear-ended by a Dodge Durango, Cowboy State Daily reported.
The impact of the collision ejected Shaw from his vehicle. He was transported to the Cheyenne Regional Medical Center, where he was later pronounced dead. The 30-year-old driver of the Durango also sustained injuries and was taken to a hospital.
The tragedy occurred around 11:45 a.m. near Croell Concrete, an area currently seeing a surge in industrial activity.
Safety equipment and warning signs were missing from the scene
Cheyenne Police Sgt. Matthew Colson stated that the presence of the dust cloud, kicked up by the sweeping operation itself, significantly reduced visibility for passing motorists. Beyond the environmental conditions, investigators determined that the site lacked the necessary precautions to protect workers and drivers.
“From our investigation it appeared there was no presence of advance warning or any type of safety equipment,” Colson said.
Witnesses described a scene where the dust made it nearly impossible to see vehicles in adjacent lanes. Al Gates, a Cheyenne resident driving to a medical appointment at the time, said he passed Shaw shortly before the crash and noted the visibility was “amazing” in its lack of clarity. Gates explained that he had to move into a middle lane to avoid a blocked lane where the spill had occurred, only realizing the street sweeper was in the lane next to him once he entered the dust cloud.
Stephanie Martin, a local mechanic, echoed these concerns, noting that the visibility was so poor during her work that she had to drive close to the shoulder to avoid a potential strike. “I do recall thinking to myself somebody’s going to get hit here,” Martin said.
Industrial growth drives increased traffic and debris on College Drive
The accident highlights the growing pains of a city undergoing rapid industrial expansion. The intersection of College Drive and South Greeley Highway has been described by local resident Heather Madrid as a “failing intersection” due to frequent debris in the roadway that creates visibility issues.
The surge in traffic is largely tied to the construction of massive data centers and power plants in the Cheyenne area. According to Cheyenne LEADS, the local economic development organization, the region currently hosts 10 operational data centers, with five more under construction and nine additional projects in the planning stages. This boom requires immense amounts of concrete for foundations and structural infrastructure, leading to increased production at local plants.
John Fitzgerald, a safety officer with Croell Concrete, noted that while concrete spills are not common, the industry is seeing a significant increase in workload. He expressed a belief that the accident was preventable, stating, “Something could have been done … something happened somewhere in the system that caused this.”
The material Shaw was attempting to clear had spilled from a vehicle associated with Morandin Concrete, according to police. While the spill was identified, Morandin Concrete declined to comment on the incident when contacted.
The investigation moves to the District Attorney
At this stage, the official investigation has moved from the scene to the legal system. Cheyenne Police have compiled all evidence and facts from the crash and submitted them to the Laramie County District Attorney’s Office for review.
As of now, no charges have been filed. The District Attorney will ultimately determine if the lack of warning signs and safety equipment warrants criminal charges. While the dust had cleared by the time Sgt. Colson arrived at the scene, the human cost of the visibility issues remains central to the inquiry.
For those close to the victim, the focus remains on the loss of a community member. Sally Kinkade, who knew Shaw, described him as an “amazing fellow” with a family that loved him dearly.
