A Friday afternoon crash on U.S. Highway 14A claimed the lives of two young Powell women. Shannah Nelson was 22. Wendy Nelson, her sister, was 20.

The two-vehicle crash occurred shortly before 1 p.m. on an icy portion of the highway, east of the Heart Mountain Interpretive Center.

The Nelsons had been heading east toward Powell in a 2006 Chevrolet Silverado. After crossing an icy bridge, the driver of the Silverado lost control, said Wyoming Highway Patrol Lt. Lee Pence, and the truck rotated and crossed the center turn lane, entering the oncoming, westbound lanes of traffic. While in the outside, westbound lane, Pence said the pickup was hit in the rear bumper area by an oncoming tractor trailer.

The Cody resident driving the Sysco semi-truck did not appear to suffer any physical injuries, Pence said, but the Nelsons died at the scene.

“Our sincerest condolences go out to the families affected, along with the tractor trailer driver,” Pence wrote in a Friday evening statement.

Services for Shannah and Wendy Nelson are scheduled for 10 a.m. Thursday at New Life Church, 185 Road 10 in Powell.

Shannah Nelson — who leaves behind her husband, John, and their toddler, Jesse — worked in farming and as a cattlewoman.

“Besides her family, Shannah loved her horses, cattle and being able to work in the field of agriculture,” says a portion of her obituary.

Wendy Nelson also worked in agriculture, at George Farms. Her hobbies included working with and riding horses, photography and baking for her mother’s restaurant, the Rest Awhile Cafe in downtown Powell.

“Wendy and Shannah ‘Nonnie’ were truly two beautiful young women inside and out, [who] loved the Lord and their family,” said Stacey Atkinson, who’s helping organize support efforts for the family.

A Nelson Family Benefit account has been set up at Bank of Powell to help the Nelsons’ family members — including the sisters’ parents, Brenda and Larry Nelson — with any financial needs. A separate Meal Train webpage, online at mealtrain.com/trains/kw0vkd, had raised more than $7,600 in donations as of Monday, with volunteers signing up to provide meals to the family for the coming weeks.

“We live in such an amazing and loving community,” Atkinson said in an online update, expressing thanks to all of those who’ve supported the Nelson family. She added that continuing to pray for the family “is the most important thing any of us can do.”

Multiple ambulances responded to Friday’s crash, along with Park County Sheriff’s deputies, Wyoming Highway Patrol troopers and Powell volunteer firefighters. Authorities temporarily closed the highway’s westbound lanes while they worked the scene.

“Our thanks go out to the fire, EMS, Park County Sheriff’s deputies, and good Samaritans who assisted in this terrible crash,” Lt. Pence said. “Please slow down and drive to arrive, especially on slick roads.”

Friday’s fatal crash on U.S. Highway 14A marked the 23rd and 24th deaths on Wyoming’s roadways since the beginning of the year, according to state data. That’s double the number of fatalities that had been recorded at the same point in 2022 and represents the deadliest start to a year in some time.