TORRINGTON – An arraignment hearing is scheduled by the Goshen County Circuit Court at 9 a.m. on May 13 for a Torrington man, Shane Jay Deffenbaugh, who stands accused of a slew of criminal activity stemming back to a March 11 hit-and-run accident. 

Court records indicate the accident was investigated by the Goshen County Sheriff’s Department, Sheriff Kory Fleenor, and a summons to appear has been issued for Deffenbaugh. 

“On or about March 11, 2024, Shane J. Deffenbaugh, did, while driving a vehicle involved in an accident resulting in property damage to another or others to an extent of at least $1,000, fail to immediately by the quickest means of communication give notice of the accident to the Goshen County Sheriff’s Office,” court documents filed on April 26 read. “Mr. Deffenbaugh left the scene of the accident and failed to report said accident to the Goshen County Sheriff’s Office, contrary to the form of the statute, Wyoming State Statue 31-5-1101(a) in such case made and provided and against the peace and dignity of the State of Wyoming.”

Deffenbaugh is also charged with driving with a suspended license. 

“On or about March 11, 2024, Shane J. Deffenbaugh did drive a motor vehicle on any public highway in this state at a time when his driver’s licenses and operating privileges are canceled, suspended, or revoked,” the court documents read. 

Deffenbaugh also faces a third charge, failure to maintain liability insurance coverage, from the March 11 hit-and-run accident. 

“On or about March 11, 2024, Shane J. Deffenbaugh, did, as the owner of a motor vehicle then required to be registered, operate the motor vehicle without having in full force and effect a motor vehicle liability policy,” the court documentation continues. 

“On 11 March 2024 at approximately 0630 hours I was notified of a crash at AJ’s Soda Shop. I spoke with Jaclyn Miller who is the owner of the soda shop,” Fleenor wrote in the affidavit of probable cause which was filed on April 26. “She stated the crash happened around 0300 hours as that was when her cameras detected the issue. I could see the power lines had been pulled from the building due to a vehicle striking the power pole.” 

Fleenor was able to follow the “trail of fluids leading away from the scene,” to a redacted address in Torrington where the suspected vehicle was also located, according to the affidavit of probable cause.

The information article, filed on April 26, indicated AJ’s Soda Shop had lost power to their freezers as a result of Deffenbaugh’s accident, which caused the business to lose over $1,000 in product. 

“It (the suspected vehicle) had a Nebraska license plate of (redacted). I spoke with the person who lived in the house and was advised that Shane Deffenbaugh had been driving the vehicle at the time of the crash. I was not able to find a current insurance card as the vehicle was locked. A check of Shane Deffenbaugh’s Wyoming driver’s license showed it was suspended at the time of the crash,” Fleenor wrote in the affidavit of probable cause.

Deffenbaugh was located a few days after the accident, on March 13 where he admitted to crashing the vehicle into the pole but could not remember the crash, according to the affidavit. 

According to the summons for appearance filed on April 26, Deffenbaugh was ordered to appear on May 13 for charges of one count of failure to notify authorities of an accident with damages equal to $1,000 which holds a maximum penalty of imprisonment of not more than 20 days and a fine of not more than $200; one count driving while license is canceled, suspended or revoked which holds a maximum penalty of six months imprisonment and a $750 fine, or both; and one count failure to maintain liability coverage, which holds a penalty of six months imprisonment, a fine of not less than $500 nor more than $1,500 or both.

Court documents filed on May 1 indicate Deffenbaugh has “fled from Goshen County,” however no arrest warrant has been issued at press time.