Driver runs speeding van into wall

Friday evening, law enforcement and emergency personnel responded to a one-vehicle accident in Hot Springs State Park, at the three-way stop intersection of Park and Buffalo.

Wyoming Highway Patrol Trooper Regina Schulmeister reported a white van belonging to the Set Free Church and driven by John Welch was travelling eastbound in the westbound lane. While travelling across the bridge leading into the state park, the van struck the barrier between the street and sidewalk.

The vehicle continued to travel into the park, doing at least 60 miles per hour, Schulmeister said. Welch did not hit the brakes and blew trough the stop sign, striking the retaining wall at the intersection. Airbags did deploy, she noted, and Welch was wearing his seatbelt.

Welch was arrested for alleged reckless driving and driving while impaired. Schulmeister said the impairment was due to inhalants from a can of compressed air.

Welch was later released and is scheduled for a preliminary appearance in circuit court this Friday. Investigation into the crash is continuing.