By BOB MOEN: Associated Press

 

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) – Authorities have dropped an aggravated vehicular homicide charge against a Canadian truck driver involved in a fiery chain-reaction crash on Interstate 80 in southeast Wyoming that killed two people.

Instead, 45-year-old Alex Dragaytsev was cited Tuesday for failure to use caution for hazardous conditions. It carries a $60 fine.

Albany County prosecuting attorney Peggy Trent says he has been released from custody.

Trent says the evidence currently doesn’t support the more severe charge, but the crash remains under investigation.

The pileup happened around 8 a.m. Monday about 18 miles west of Laramie in dense fog and light slush. More than 60 vehicles were involved, and traffic was shut down for about 100 miles in both directions.

Eastbound lanes reopened late Monday, and the westbound lanes reopened Tuesday afternoon.