Casper Mourns Tragic Death of Local Father and Son

Casper is mourning the loss of a school teacher and his son. Our Kimberly Barroteran tells us more about the accident that has left the community grieving.

On Monday night the community attended a prayer vigil here at Saint Patrick’s for the Diaz family after a tragic car accident has left Casper heartbroken over their sudden loss. The community grieves the loss of Mauro, a beloved Natrona County High School teacher and his youngest son, Mateo Diaz, who were on their way to attend a cross-country race on Saturday morning when a Texas driver attempting to pass a vehicle on the highway south of Thermopolis resulted in a head on collision where both Mauro and Mateo Diaz were killed. The Natrona County School District expresses their condolences, as PIO Tanya Southerland wrote in a statement saying, “our deepest sympathies, prayers and condolences are with the family, friends, school communities and our entire community. As we grieve and process this tragedy and tremendous loss. There are additional counseling services available to students and staff as needed. Again, our sincere condolences and prayers are with the family.”

Third grader at Park Elementary, Mateo Diaz, was also part of Casper Oilers hockey club that helped put their vigil together. His hockey family are putting their sticks out on their porch in honor and remembrance of Mateo.

Judy Catchpole says our old sticks, thoughts and prayers are with this hockey family. Sally Hagel said in a facebook post “a dreadful, senseless accident took the lives of a gifted teacher, loving husband and father and a dear little boy with everything to live for. Heartbroken doesn’t even begin to describe the devastation felt by the family.”

Several community members are impacted by the tragic accident and leave comments online, sending prayers to the Diaz family.

Kimberly Barroteran, Your Wyoming Link, Casper.