February 9, 2024 |
Photo – CCSO vehicle after crash with semi – Courtesy CCSO
Yesterday’s snow, ice and wind caused havoc on Interstate 80. Wyoming Department of Transportation Senior Public Relations Specialist Andrea Staley said the snowfall from Wednesday night into Thursday morning caused six crashes in Carbon County. Staley said the most prominent collision involved two semis and a sheriff’s department pickup truck.
As reported by Bigfoot99 Thursday morning, a deputy was stopped on I-80 outside of Rawlins responding to a crashed semi-truck. While the deputy was checking on the driver, a second semi-truck collided with the deputy’s patrol truck.
The deputy and the driver of the first truck were able to jump clear of the out-of-control vehicle. No one was injured in the incident.
WYDOT Public Relations Specialist Staley said the early morning crash caused I-80 to temporarily close while crews removed the wreckage. Staley said the more crashes, the longer it takes to clear the road.
Staley said nice weather earlier in the week and yesterday’s wind contributed to the morning’s icy driving conditions. Staley said I-80 was especially dangerous before the sun came out.
Staley said yesterday morning’s inclement weather made traveling dangerous across the entire state. The WYDOT Public Relations Specialist said road conditions were worse north of Cheyenne than what we experienced in Carbon County.
Staley said the interstate was cleared of ice and snow by mid-morning yesterday. However, The WYDOT Public Relations Specialist said the wind was likely to cause more road closures. Staley said to expect more closures as the winter progresses.
Staley said conditions on the highway can often be worse than in town. She said to observe the speed limit and adjust your driving to match the conditions.
Staley said to drive more carefully when there’s ice and snow on the road.
