Crash closes I-80 near Rawlins by Wyoming Highway Patrol
October 24, 2007
(Rawlins) – Eastbound Interstate 80 remains closed at this time due to multi-vehicle crashes between the west Rawlins Interchange (mile post #211) and the Thayer Interchange (mile post #214) in Carbon County.
Troopers closed the eastbound side of the Interstate just before 8:00 a.m.. Troopers are investigating up to four separate crashes in that stretch of the Interstate that involve passenger cars and tractor trailer combination units.
At this time there is one confirmed fatality and there have been some serious injuries. Those injured victims have been transported to Memorial Hospital of Carbon County in Rawlins. It is unknown the number of injuries or the extent of the injuries.
Road conditions at the time of the crashes were dry with no adverse weather conditions in the area. It is believed that the early morning sun may be to blame for limited visibility of some of the drivers.
The first crash that started the chain reaction crashes behind was a Nissan Exterra pulling a U-haul trailer that slowed on the Interstate and was then rear ended by a tractor trailer combination. The fatality is the driver of the Nissan and has not been positively identified at this time.
At least two additional tractor trailer combinations then rear ended another tractor trailer combination. The remainder of the vehicles have been passenger vehicles. There has been no fire or hazmat spill.
All eastbound traffic has been re-routed off the Interstate and through Rawlins on the business loop. I-80 eastbound is expected to re-open before noon.