A beacon of care

Less than a week before Christmas, a collision on Interstate 80 west of Rawlins took the life of 29-year-old Saratoga resident Tyeler Harris. A GoFundMe for $15,000 for his wife and three children raised five times that amount within four days.

In the early hours of December 21, Harris and fellow Memorial Hospital of Carbon County (MHCC) EMT Tiffany Gruetzmacher, responded to a request for aid in Sweetwater County. During the call, the MHCC ambulance was struck by a tractor trailer in the westbound lane of the interstate. According to the Wyoming Highway Patrol, the driver of the tractor trailer was identified as Saviol Saint Gean of Brooklyn, New York. Driver inattention is being investigated as a contributing cause in the wreck.

Outpouring of support for Harris' family was near immediate with a GoFundMe account set up by Harris' cousin, Kirklyn Crawford of Riverton, Wyoming. Harris was a graduate of Riverton High School. With a goal of $15,000, the GoFundMe campaign had raised $78,620 through 904 donations as of December 26 with contributions ranging from $20 to as much as $5,000.

A similar campaign was started for Greutzmacher with a goal of $20,000. As of Monday, it had raised $27,470 through 312 donations. On Monday afternoon, Gruetzmacher returned home to Rawlins with a hero's welcome, escorted by first responders along Interstate 80 and into the city.

On December 23, Governor Mark Gordon announced flags around the state would be flown at half-staff in memory of Harris at a date to be determined. The announcement came as Gordon ordered flags at half-staff for another first responder, Bruce Lang of Pine Haven, who had died while assisting someone who had fallen through the ice in Keyhole Reservoir.

"These tragedies are a reminder of the risks that accompany the selfless commitment of first responders in our state, who are all deeply committed to serving their fellow citizens," said Gordon.

MHCC CEO Ken Harman called Harris a "man with extraordinary compassion and care."

"MHCC is blessed with exceptional employees who truly are heroes. These first responders respond in all types of weather and every condition and often put their own lives on the line to help others," said Harman. "He (Harris) was a beacon of care and could be counted on to always be willing to go above and beyond. We, as an organization, lost a truly remarkable friend and coworker. Our prayers are with Ashely and the boys."

Harris worked for MHCC beginning on November 4, 2021 through December 21, 2022.