Utah husband and wife Barbara Williams, 52, and Brian Williams, 40, are seeking $5 million in federal court after a 2023 semi-truck collision on Interstate 80 left them permanently injured. The couple sued New Prime Inc. and truck driver Lubrun Sylvestre in U.S. District Court for Wyoming on Monday, alleging Sylvestre failed to slow down before crashing into their semi-truck near Cheyenne on Jan. 30, 2023. The Williamses’ lawsuit was filed by Jackson attorney Jason Edward Ochs.
The civil cover sheet for the lawsuit lists the $5 million demand, with the Williamses accusing Sylvestre of driving too fast for conditions, failing to maintain control, and neglecting traffic signs. The crash occurred as the couple was driving east on I-80, stopped at a milepost 367 exit in Laramie County, while Sylvestre, driving for New Prime, collided with their trailer. The lawsuit does not specify whether the pavement was icy or snow-covered, nor the exact weather conditions Sylvestre faced.
Lawsuit Details and Allegations
The complaint alleges Sylvestre violated traffic rules by not slowing sufficiently before the crash. It cites National Weather Service records showing Cheyenne’s temperature on Jan. 30, 2023, never rose above 4 degrees, with a low of minus 8 and an average of minus 2—31 degrees colder than normal. Light snow, fog, and haze were present, with nearly an inch of new snow and 7 inches on the ground. Two days prior, 44 vehicles were involved in pileups on the same interstate, which remained partially closed into Jan. 30.
Weather Conditions and Crash Context
“The Wyoming Highway Patrol has been responding to numerous calls for service across the state,” the agency reported on Jan. 31, 2023. “As such, the Wyoming Highway Patrol Dispatch has been very busy fielding these calls and dispatching emergency crews to different locations throughout the state.”
Injuries and Damages Sought
The Williamses claim the collision caused permanent injuries. Barbara suffered head, neck, and spine trauma requiring multiple surgeries, while Brian sustained back, knee, and shoulder injuries. Both allege their lifestyles have been permanently altered, with Barbara unable to work. They seek compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain, and emotional distress, as well as damages for loss of consortium due to their marriage at the time of the crash.
New Prime, a Missouri-based trucking company, is named as a defendant. The Williamses have requested a 12-person jury trial, with the case pending in federal court. Kolby Fedore can be reached at kolby@cowboystatedaily.com.
