October 11, 2024 |
Photo – WHP patch – Bigfoot99 file photo
A crash involving three semi-trucks on Wednesday morning sent four people to the hospital and closed Interstate 80 for nearly four hours.
Around 4:30 am Wednesday morning, Wyoming Highway Patrol troopers were called to a collision near the Elk Mountain exit on westbound I-80.
According to Highway Patrol Trooper Ryan Gerdes, a semi-truck with a trailer was traveling west along I-80 when it rolled over. The trailer ended up blocking the right lane and shoulder. Two other semi-trucks, both pulling trailers, struck the first truck’s trailer and rolled over as well.
The second vehicle rolled onto its left side, trapping the driver in the cab of the truck. The driver had to be extracted from the truck by emergency crews.
The third vehicle also hit the first truck’s trailer and rolled onto its driver’s side. The trailers of the second and third vehicles became entangled, which delayed recovery efforts by responding tow truck operators.
In his official Wyoming Highway Patrol statement, Trooper Gerdes wrote, “The large and complex scene required Interstate 80 to be closed from Laramie to Rawlins for nearly four hours.”
One person suffered serious injuries in the crash and was immediately airlifted from the scene to Banner Wyoming Medical Center in Casper. A second person was transported by ambulance to Memorial Hospital of Carbon County and then flown to Casper.
Highway Patrol reported that two other people were taken by ambulance to Memorial Hospital in Rawlins. The identities of the people involved in Wednesday morning’s crash are being withheld at this time.
The Wyoming Department of Transportation reported dry conditions with no significant weather-related issues on Wednesday morning. Highway Patrol stated that driver fatigue is being investigated as a possible cause of the crash.
Trooper Gerdes wrote that Wyoming Highway Patrol is grateful for the assistance of the Carbon County Sheriff’s Office, Carbon County Fire District, and South-Central Wyoming EMS, the towing companies involved, and other supporting community partners.
