Borys Bakhtiarov, a Ukrainian truck driver, was sentenced to 90 days in jail and one year of probation for a deadly crash on March 15, 2025, near Rawlins, Wyoming.
The crash: Bakhtiarov was hauling through Carbon County when his truck slid on black ice. He lost control, crossed the median, and crashed into another semi. The crash killed Mary Couch, 70, who was in the sleeper of the other truck, and injured the driver, James Byars.
- Speeds were well below the posted limit—reports say Bakhtiarov was driving 55 mph in an 80 mph zone when the wreck happened.
- During the police interview, using an interpreter, Bakhtiarov admitted that “he closed his eyes and did nothing, not even braking as the vehicle jackknifed and spun,” according to Cowboy State Daily.
- Couch was pronounced dead at the scene. Byars survived but was hurt in the crash.
The courtroom: Bakhtiarov appeared tearful and said through his interpreter, "I understand I will have to live with this for the rest of my life. I deeply regret about what happened, and I wish the victim’s families were here because I would do anything absolutely anything to help them, to help alleviate their pain in some way."
Background: Bakhtiarov came to the U.S. under a war refugee visa for Ukrainians in 2023. According to the judge, he can return to Ukraine after his sentence ends in October if he chooses.
The sentence, reached under a plea agreement, includes $1,000 in fines and $220 in fees. No mind-altering substances were found in Bakhtiarov’s system at the time of the accident.