Community member struck and killed on Arapahoe Street

Long time Thermopolis resident Bernadine "Bernie" Blacketer was struck and killed by a vehicle being driven on Arapahoe Street last Friday morning.

On January 24 around 7 a.m., Thermopolis Police officers responded to the 700 block of Arapahoe Street for the report of an 85-year-old female pedestrian who was struck by a motor vehicle. The female was rushed to the hospital. She succumbed to her injuries. She was identified as Blacketer who lived in the area where she had been hit.

At the time of the incident, it was deemed a hit-and-run as no driver remained at the scene. Members of the Thermopolis Police Department, Hot Springs County Sheriff's Office and Wyoming Highway Patrol secured the scene and began an investigation in an attempt to locate the suspect vehicle and driver. A short time later, police discovered a 17-year-old male had allegedly struck Blacketer while driving to school. The male was taken into custody, questioned and later released. Preliminary reports state the driver thought he had hit a deer.

Blacketer, a long-time, active member of the St. Francis Catholic Church, was reportedly on her way to open up the church as she does every morning. She was discovered by community members on their morning walk.

The investigation has been transferred to the Wyoming Highway Patrol. At press time, the investigation was still ongoing and charges, if any, are pending. The minor driver's name has not been released.