Final report on I-80 crash released
The Wyoming Highway Patrol now says only 95 vehicles were involved in the massive pile-ups on Interstate 80 Sunday. Early estimates put the number as high as 148.
In a statement yesterday, Sergeant Jeremy Beck with the patrol said that because of the “dynamics of the crash scene, some vehicles were initially counted that were not part of any crash.”
The number of crash scenes also was updated to three. Two were in the westbound lanes and one on the eastbound side.
According to the report, 30 westbound vehicles, mostly commercial rigs, collided in the westbound lanes near milepost 184.
About the same time, 25 vehicles were involved in secondary collisions in stopped traffic on either side of the first crash. All three of the fatalities occurred in the crashes on the westbound side. Two were truck drivers, one from Texas and the other from Georgia. The third, a 53-year-old Michigan woman, was a passenger in a Toyota Highlander struck by a commercial vehicle.
The crash on the eastbound side near milepost 181 consisted of roughly 40 vehicles, again mostly big rigs. Serious injuries were reported with this crash but no fatalities. Carbon County Memorial Hospital treated approximately 30 people.
Driving too fast for road conditions and following too closely are being investigated as the leading cause of the crashes. Roadways were very icy with snowfall and blowing snow creating limited visibility in the areas of all three of the crash scenes.
Viewer discretion advised on this video of Sunday’s crash:
Street crews scramble to stay ahead of Mother Nature
In Rawlins, Mother Nature has been throwing everything it has at city street crews.
Snow and ice may cover some streets, and potholes are springing up on others. Cali O’Hare reports.
Saratoga snow plow drivers earn praise
In Saratoga, the public works department received praise this week on its work to keep roads safe for the public.
The town council further thanks the streets crew for their long hours this winter. Emma Diercks has the story.
Booking Corporal Robin Umberger; Corporal John Van Winkle; Sergeant Cathy Rosentrator; Corporal Jacob Newsome. Front row from left to right: Captain Leo Black; Lieutenant Jorge Torres; and Sergeant Deb Fall. Photo by Cali O’Hare/Bigfoot 99.
Nine promoted in Sheriff’s Office
The Carbon County Sheriff’s Office recently celebrated the promotions of nine individuals within both the patrol and detention divisions.
On Wednesday, Bigfoot 99’s Cali O’Hare sat down with the sheriff and each of his recently promoted deputies to talk about the changes within the department. Here’s her report.
Sports: County teams battle at tournaments, Pokes beat #3 Nevada
Carbon County School teams finished their first days at State and Regional Tournaments, while the Wyoming Cowboys have a Cinderella streak at the Mountain West Tournament in Las Vegas. Joey Saverine has more.
