Teton County Coroner: Jackson Hole Skier-Collision Death a Homicide, Sheriff’s Office Seeking Witnesses

After completing an autopsy last week, Teton County Coroner Brent Blue determined the death of long-time JHMR ski instructor Peter Wuerslin to be a homicide. The Teton County Sheriff's Office is seeking public input from anyone who might have seen the ultimately fatal collision.

Around 10:15 a.m. on April 14, Wuerslin was skiing on the intermediate Rendezvous Trail when he was hit by a skier uphill from him "who failed to maneuver" around him, according to ski patrol reports. The collision sent both men to the hospital where Weurslin was placed on life support before he sadly passed away at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center on April 17. He did not regain consciousness after the accident. While Wuerslin had been a ski instructor at JHMR since 1978, he was not teaching at the time of the incident.

Though the Coroner's classification of the incident as a homicide is exceedingly rare, it is certainly not unheard of for ski collisions. It remains unseen whether criminal charges will be brought in Wuerslin's case (the coroner's determination is separate from that of the Teton County Sheriff's Office and the County Attorney), but the moment still serves as a stark reminder that personal responsibility for on-mountain safety must be taken seriously.

Legal consequences or not, collisions always pose a risk while skiing. Critically, these types of accidents can be avoided by just skiing and riding in control at all times.

“These incidents unfortunately continue to be an occurrence for skiers,” JHMR’s Risk and Safety Director Jon Bishop told Buckrail, “It is your duty as an uphill skier to avoid those below you. We ask that everyone ski in a safe and respectful manner.”

If you witnessed the collision, please contact Detective Bret Bommer at 307-733-4052.

Our hearts go out to all those affected by this tragic accident.