JANUARY 27, 2025|
Photo – Snowplow that was rear-ended by commercial truck – Courtesy WYDOT District One
Two more WYDOT snowplows were stuck by motorists over the wintery weekend in our area.
At 6:30 Saturday morning, Wyoming Department of Transportation Senior Public Relations Specialist for District One Andrea Staley announced that a WYDOT snowplow was involved in a crash north of Laramie.
Staley described the incident in a written statement, saying that a passenger vehicle was traveling southbound in the northbound lane of Highway 30, outside of Bosler. A WYDOT plow operator, seeing the oncoming vehicle, reduced speed, flashed lights, and honked their horn in an attempt to get the driver’s attention. The driver regained awareness too late to avoid the plow and impacted the blade, suffering undisclosed injuries. The driver was transported to Ivinson Memorial Hospital in Laramie. The snowplow operator was unharmed. The plow blade, however, received heavy damage and was reported as a total loss.
Staley wrote that snowfall and slick roads were reported in the area, but visibility remained clear.
Five hours later on Saturday morning, around 11:30, Staley announced that another WYDOT plow truck had been struck in southeast Wyoming between Cheyenne and Laramie. Staley reported that the driver of a commercial vehicle rear-ended a WYDOT snowplow heading east on I-80, at milepost 332.9 near Lone Tree. The plow operator was clearing drifts in the passing lane when the incident occurred.
Neither driver was injured in the crash. However, the driver of the commercial vehicle was issued a citation.
Snowfall, with slick roads and clear visibility, was reported at the time of the incident.
Staley wrote that plows generate snow clouds while driving and that motorists should exercise caution when encountering these clouds.
Saturday’s collisions represent the third and fourth plows to be struck in WYDOT District One. In total, nine plows have been hit by motorists across the entire state this season.
Staley reminded motorists to check the road conditions before traveling, drive at an appropriate speed for the conditions, and watch for snowplows.
