March 7, 2023 |
Photo – Semi vs Snowplow – courtesy WHP Facebook page
Slick roads and snowy conditions have plagued southern Wyoming since the start of the year with Interstate 80 continuing to be a trouble spot. In the latest highway mishap, a tractor-trailer combo collided with a WYDOT snowplow, sending the plow driver to the hospital.
The incident happened Sunday morning. A commercial rig rear-ended a state snowplow while attempting to pass another motorist. The wreck occurred east of Rock Springs, on Interstate 80. Wyoming Highway Patrol Sergeant Jeremy Beck said drivers need to slow down when visibility is low.
The plow driver was taken to Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater County with minor injuries. The truck driver was cited for driving too fast for the conditions and careless driving.
The latest crash marks the 22nd WYDOT snowplow hit this winter. Nine of the 80 plows stationed in Carbon County have been struck this season. Sergeant Beck said drivers run into plows because they were not taking road conditions into consideration.
WYDOT operates a fleet of about 450 plows across the state.
WYDOT plow trucks are custom built in Cheyenne. Similar trucks can easily cost upwards of $300,000. Sergeant Beck said the truck driver’s insurance will pay to have the plow repaired, but you can’t put a price on human life.
If the plows are out, the roads are bad. So slow down and let them do their job.
