Texas trucker accused of trying to run down deputy and two men near Greybull after road rage outburst
A Texas truck driver accused of veering into an angry roadside rampage near Greybull, Wyoming, is facing three felony counts after authorities say he tried
A Texas truck driver accused of veering into an angry roadside rampage near Greybull, Wyoming, is facing three felony counts after authorities say he tried to run down a deputy and two other men. The case has put a spotlight on how quickly ordinary traffic collisions can turn violent.
William Eric Vauter, 58, was bound over to district court Wednesday and remains in the Big Horn County Detention Center, according to court records. Prosecutors say he could face up to 30 years in prison if convicted.
Accusations after a crash
Deputies say Vauter, from Houston, had been involved in a crash on County Road 26 outside Greybull two days earlier. By the time tow crews and a coworker arrived to deal with his damaged semi, he was described in an affidavit as visibly angry, hostile and cursing at the people around him.
Big Horn County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Nathan Kreider said in the affidavit that Vauter was belligerent at the scene and repeatedly hurled insults at the men helping with the recovery. Kreider had responded to provide traffic control.
The encounter escalated fast. According to the affidavit, Vauter allegedly drove his semitrailer toward three men, nearly hitting them, while his left hand was visible outside the driver’s window and making a middle-finger gesture. Kreider said he was among those targeted.
Three felony charges
Vauter now faces three felony charges of aggravated assault and battery. The charge carries the possibility of a long prison term, though any sentence would depend on the outcome of the district court case.
Road rage cases involving heavy vehicles often draw sharp attention because of the scale of the threat. A semitrailer can do far more damage than a passenger car, and even a brief burst of aggression can leave bystanders with little room to escape.
The allegations also add to a series of recent cases in the U.S. and overseas involving drivers accused of using vehicles as weapons. In Florida, a DoorDash driver recently faced charges after authorities said he struck a man at a gated community entrance. In Ohio, a man accused of killing a special deputy sheriff by running him over is seeking to change his plea.
For now, Vauter remains in custody in Big Horn County as the case moves to district court. Prosecutors say the next stage will test the deputy’s account, the tow crew’s statements and what the roadside confrontation looked like from close range. The semitrailer, according to the affidavit, came within moments of hitting three men.
