Teen from Gillette died trapped under car on June 14; accident investigation ongoing

GILLETTE, Wyoming – A Gillette man died Friday night when a single-vehicle overturned near Shober Road and Outback Lane, according to the Campbell County Sheriff’s Office.

Benjamin R. Kauranen, 19, died June 14 after he was reportedly pinned under a 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee in a single-vehicle rollover crash at the corner of Shober Road and Outback Lane around 10:25 p.m., according to Investigative Sergeant Gary Sams of the Sheriff’s Office.

The report did not say whether Kauranen or one of the other occupants – both 18-year-old men – was driving the vehicle. However, Kauranen was partially thrown through the vehicle’s sunroof and was pronounced dead at the scene, Sams said.

Campbell County Coroner Paul Wallem told reporters on June 17 that Kauranen died instantly due to head trauma caused by the accident.

According to Sams, the two 18-year-old men were taken to the hospital for evaluation. The cause of the accident is currently under investigation and the accident report, once completed, will be sent to the Campbell County District Attorney’s Office for review.