Sheriff report: Runaway truck nowhere to be found after report of hot brakes atop Big Horns

The Big Horn County Sheriff’s Office received the following calls for the week of Sept. 3-8:

September 3: 9:33 a.m. – A caller reported a person driving aggressively toward the reporting party on Road 3 near Frannie. A deputy responded, and the reporting party signed a citation as a complaint against the driver.

4:16 p.m. – A report was called in of a downed tree almost blocking both lanes of traffic on U.S. 14A just east of Lovell. A deputy cleared the lanes and reported to WyDOT that a right-of-way fence was damaged in the blowdown.

September 4: 4:44 a.m. – a deputy heard a Lovell Police radio communication about a possible large gas leak at the WBI Energy distribution facility just west of Lovell and responded to the scene. WBI took care of the issue quickly.

8:17 p.m. – A cow was reported out on the highway just east of Byron on U.S. 14A.

September 5: 9:22 a.m. – A deputy responded to a report of a truck leaking fuel on U.S. 14A East at Road 18. The deputy stood by while a mechanic was called and responded to the scene.

1:33 a.m. – A deputy and the Lovell Volunteer Fire Department responded to Mile Post 68 on U.S. 14A East atop the Big Horns to a report of a runaway semi-truck that had taken a runaway truck ramp and was blocking traffic, but when first responders arrived, the brakes had apparently cooled and the truck was gone.

2:33 p.m. – North Big Horn Search and Rescue was called to the area of the Bucking Mule Trailhead on the Bighorn National Forest where a rider had been bucked off a horse, suffering extensive head injuries. Search and Rescue, the North Big Horn Hospital Ambulance and deputies responded. First Flight was able to land near the site and transport the victim to a hospital. (See related story.)

6:18 p.m. – A deputy responded to Barry’s Landing to assist a motorist from Washington State after his vehicle had overheated. The deputy made arrangements for a tow truck.

September 6: 3:14 p.m. – A woman reported that she had received a disturbing call from the so-called “National Police Force” seeking a donation. When questioned, the caller became defensive, and the woman said she was calling local law enforcement. The caller hung up.

9:56 p.m. – A complaint was called in regarding somebody in the park in Cowley playing loud music. A deputy responded and found no one in vehicles parked there. The Bull Pub had a juke box playing, but the deputy said the music was barely loud enough to be heard across the alley behind the restaurant.

September 7: 9:50 a.m. – A caller reported a suspicious truck parked on Lane 2½ near Frannie. The reporting party made contact with the driver to see if assistance was needed, and the vehicle drove away. The same truck was parked at the location the next evening but was gone when a deputy arrived.

12:41 p.m. – A caller reported someone shooting off Tannerite off Road 5 north of  Byron. A request was made for extra patrol in the area, with the reporting party concerned about littering.

1:52 p.m. – A caller reported a neighbor’s dog loose and “nipping at her kids.” A deputy responded, and the situation was resolved.

8:36 p.m. – A report came in of a vehicle striking a horse on Highway 14A just west of Byron. The Wyoming Highway Patol was advised. The driver was not injured, but the horse’s owner was called and responded to dispatch the injured animal.

September 8: 5:39 p.m. – A report of a black rottweiler chasing kids on East Riverview in Byron led to the owner being cited in Byron Municipal Court for dog at large and having no Town of Byron tags.

Note: The above calls were received by the Big Horn County Sheriff’s Office. Persons arrested are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law, and charges made upon initial arrest may be amended or dismissed as determined by the County Attorney.