Troopers Close Highway 191 South of Boulder
by Wyoming Highway Patrol
July 15, 2008
Pinedale – For the safety of motorists, Troopers have closed a portion of US 191 in Sublette County approximately 4 miles south of Boulder in both directions while a team of bomb experts remove an explosive device from a vehicle.
This incident began shortly after 4:00 this afternoon when the Wyoming Highway Patrol Dispatch Center in Cheyenne received a REDDI report on a southbound pickup on US 191. Troopers were dispatched to the area to look for the vehicle, which was located and stopped by a Trooper.
During the initial traffic stop Troopers did arrest one individual on suspicion of driving while under the influence. During the course of the investigation Troopers discovered a small user amount of drugs and an
explosive device in the vehicle, which has been described as a "Sparkler Explosive". The quantity and type of illegal drugs is unknown at this time.
"Sparkler Explosive" devices are homemade explosive devices made from hundreds or thousands of individual hand held sparklers that have been tightly compressed and packaged together. When tightly packed in this type
of configuration the sparklers can become very dangerous and become explosive when ignited.
Troopers requested assistance from the Sweetwater County Sheriff’s Department in Green River. Deputies from that department have specialized training in the handling, removal and destruction of explosive devices.
Illegal explosives are not fireworks. The laws against such dangerous devices are enforced by the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms (ATF), and the mere possession of such items can result in an individual being federally prosecuted.
This case remains under investigation at this time. US 191 has been reopened to normal traffic in both directions at 9:05 p.m.
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