February 8, 2024 |
Photo – CCSO patrol vehicle after being struck by semi rig on I-80 – Courtesy CCSO
Interstate 80 is closed in both directions Thursday morning because of numerous crashes earlier here in Carbon County.
Trouble on the cross-country roadway began before 6:00 a.m. today with numerous crashes in the eastbound lane. Then a Carbon County Sheriff’s pickup truck responding to one of the crashes was struck by an oncoming semi-trailer reportedly driving too fast for conditions.
According to a report by Sheriff Alex Bakken, the deputy was dispatched to a crash scene at milepost 229 of the westbound lanes of the interstate. While the deputy was outside his vehicle assessing the driver of the crashed vehicle, another semi-truck traveling too fast for conditions struck the deputy’s patrol truck, sending it crashing into the first semi-truck.
The deputy and other driver were able to run out of the path of the semitruck. Both were uninjured.
The interstate remains closed in both directions between Rawlins and Laramie due to cleanup activities at the various crash sites. Westbound I-80 between Cheyenne and Laramie is also closed to traffic, part of a rolling-closure to reduce impacts in Laramie.
