Skiing Tragedy: Legendary Outdoorsman’s Death in Wyoming Collision Ruled a ‘Homicide’

The county coroner ruled this week that a fatal skiing accident at a popular Wyoming ski resort on April 14, as a “homicide”, but the police will decide whether or not it’s a crime.

On the slopes at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, a 34-year-old unidentified man and a ski instructor Peter Wuerslin collided.

Both men sustained serious injuries. Wuerslin passed away three days later on April 17, 2019. According to the coroner’s report on Wednesday, intracranial bleeding was the cause of death.

According to the Wyoming Coroner’s Office, homicide is defined as a death that was caused by another person. The sheriff and prosecutor will determine whether there has been a crime.

According to Ski Mag, Wuerslin was skiing downhill with friends when he was hit by another skier who “failed to maneuver” to avoid him.

Snow Brains reported that the man who was injured was not wearing a helmet. The Jackson Hole Mountain Resort stated to support this claim.

The Billings Gazette reported that both men were taken to local hospitals. Wuerslin, however, never recovered consciousness. His family claimed he had suffered “severe and irreversible brain damage.”

The man was released on the same day. He has not been named because there were no charges filed by Wednesday afternoon.

Teton County Sheriff’s Office will determine if there was a crime. The county prosecutor and sheriff’s office will also decide.

On April 22, the sheriff’s department said it was still conducting an investigation. Investigators have asked eyewitnesses of the collision on April 14 to contact Det. Bret Bommer at 307-733-4052

According to The Jackson Hole News and Guide, Wuerslin never wanted to become a “wealthy American” who flies everywhere.

Wuerslin is quoted in the article as saying, “It’s my curiosity that makes me travel. And the idea of traveling by bicycle always seems like the best way to meet people.”

You don’t have to go everywhere, just go where you want.

After news of his passing broke, tributes to the beloved outdoor man flooded social networks. One video was Angus Theuermer’s Facebook clip from a bike tour in Idaho in 2022.

Thuermer wrote: “We will miss Peter who died yesterday when another skier crashed into him.”

Mary Kate Buckley, president of Ski Resort said: “The resort is devastated that we have lost such a beloved community member.”

Buckley expressed his sadness for the family and said, “This is a very sad situation both for the organization and community. Our hearts go out to them.”

She reminded all skiers to stay in control and that “we continue to focus on raising awareness about the need for safety skiing and riding.”