Wyoming Man Dead After Pickup Vaults Off Steep Drainage Canal

A 54-year-old Wyoming man is dead after crashing his pickup near Lander, the Wyoming Highway Patrol says.

It happened around 6:50 a.m. on Wednesday, July 2, at milepost 78.68 on U.S. 287/Wyoming 789, just southeast of town.

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According to a fatality crash summary, Clyde Winchester was behind the wheel of a Chevrolet Silverado negotiating a slight left-hand curve when, according to a witness, he made a sudden right-hand steer towards the southbound borrow ditch.

"The Silverado traveled through the southbound borrow ditch for a distance until it vaulted off the side of a steep drainage canal and impacted the opposite side of the canal," the summary reads.

Sadly, Winchester, who was not wearing his seat belt, didn't survive the crash.

Factors Under Investigation

The Patrol says factors contributing to the crash are under investigation.

Winchester is the 53rd reported person to die on Wyoming's highways this year.

According to his obituary (see below), Winchester was employed by the Fremont County Road Department, where he had worked for over 10 years, and was a lifelong sportsman and community supporter.

"He loved the outdoors and enjoyed photography, jeeping, hunting, fishing, camping, snowmobiling, and bull riding," his obituary reads.

Clyde L. Winchester, Jr.
November 25, 1970 – July 2, 2025

Clyde L. Winchester, Jr., 54, of Lander passed away on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, in an accident.

A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Monday, July 7, 2025, at the Fremont Center located at the Riverton Fairgrounds. Inurnment will follow at Mountain View Cemetery in Riverton.

Clyde was born on November 25, 1970, in Lander, Wyoming, to Clyde L. Winchester, Sr. and Pamela (Krost) Winchester. He was raised in Lander and the Diversion Dam area and graduated from Lander Valley High School. He spent his entire life in Wyoming, where he built a legacy of service, family, and hard work.

He was baptized at the Church of Christ. On June 20, 1992, he married the love of his life, Amanda L. Cunningham, in Lander. Together they raised two sons, Jacob and Colby. Ten months ago, Clyde welcomed his first grandchild, Grayson, who brought him immense pride and joy.

At the time of his passing, Clyde was employed by the Fremont County Road Department, where he had worked for over 10 years. His previous employment included positions at Wyoming Rentals, Valley Lumber, and ownership of Himark Rentals.

Clyde was a lifelong sportsman and community supporter. As a youth, he played baseball and wrestled, later becoming a dedicated coach and mentor to local youth in both sports. His spirit of service began at age 17 when he volunteered to fight the Yellowstone Fire. He later supported Central Wyoming College Agriculture programs and volunteered countless hours in his community.

He loved the outdoors and enjoyed photography, jeeping, hunting, fishing, camping, snowmobiling, and bull riding. At just 14 years old, he pulled home a 1971 Pontiac LeMans and rebuilt it from the ground up—it remained his pride and joy throughout his life. Most of all, Clyde cherished time spent with Amanda and their sons, always embracing family adventures and gatherings with his large extended family.

He is survived by his loving wife of 33 years, Amanda Winchester; sons, Jacob Dale Winchester and Colby Ray Winchester (Kelsey Denson); grandson, Grayson Ray Winchester; parents, Clyde and Pamela Winchester; sisters, Mary Kay Winchester and Sandra (Clint) Guyman; nieces and nephews, Justine (Kevin) Kummer, Bryce Heiser, Tory (Deserie) Guyman, Shallary Guyman, and Dalton Mole; great-nieces and nephews, Kadance, Erik, and Evan Kummer; Carmon Palmer; Torryn Mole; and one more on the way; and parents-in-law, Ron and Kathy Cunningham. He also leaves behind numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his niece, Cortney Mole; uncle, Dale Winchester; cousin, Ryan Schroeder; and grandparents, Harold Winchester, Elleanora Hall, Floyd Dugan, and Patricia Thompson.

Online condolences for the Winchester family may be made at TheDavisFuneralHome.com.

Services are under the direction of Davis Funeral Home, Crematory, and Monuments of Riverton, Wyoming.