A collision between a vehicle and a semi-truck hauling sugar beets resulted in the death of a Powell man on Monday morning.

The crash, which claimed the life of 32-year-old Joel Torres, occurred shortly before 6 a.m. on U.S. Highway 14A, about a mile west of Ralston.

According to a preliminary report from the Wyoming Highway Patrol, a Freightliner tractor-trailer pulled onto the highway from the nearby beet dump and was struck by Torres’ Oldsmobile Alero. The Alero, which was traveling in the inside, eastbound lane, hit the front of the second trailer, the report indicates. The truck was also heading east.

Driver inattention was listed as a possible contributing factor in the patrol’s preliminary report, which said Torres was not wearing a seat belt.

Monday’s collision marked the sixth fatal crash on Park County’s roads this year — up from four in all of 2023.

Torres leaves behind a wife and two children, along with numerous friends and family.

“So many people loved him,” said his wife, Clari Torres.

Clari announced Torres’ death in a Monday evening Facebook post that quickly drew scores of warm remembrances, including from those who worked alongside Torres at places like McDonald’s and the Buffalo Bill Center of the West. Many commenters specifically mentioned Torres’ kindness.

“He was such a joy to everyone he was around,” wrote Kevin French. “Always a smile.”

Funeral services are set for 11 a.m. Saturday at Grace Point, at 550 Kattenhorn Dr. in Powell.

A bank account has been set up at Sunlight Federal Credit Union to help support Torres’ family, with a GoFundMe page also available online at gofund.me/8a87da7f.

Clari Torres said Wednesday that she has been overwhelmed by the support she’s already received. 

The Torreses had celebrated their 10th anniversary earlier this month.

“I hope people see and realize how precious life is,” she said.

(Zac Taylor contributed reporting)