Interstate 80 closed between Cheyenne and Laramie due to multiple crashes
by Wyoming Highway Patrol
September 27, 2009
UPDATE 2:29PM – Interstate 80 remains closed between Cheyenne & Laramie
Cheyenne – Interstate 80 remains closed in both directions between Cheyenne and Laramie.
Troopers and rescue personnel are still extremely busy at the scene and information is still coming in.
Extrication of the final two victims has just been completed and fire department personnel have set up a landing zone for the Life Flight helicopter to land on the Interstate.
One of the final two victims will be flown from the scene and the second will be transported via ground ambulance.
Eastbound traffic out of Laramie is being allowed to go as far as the Lincoln Monument where they are being diverted onto WYO 210 (Happy Jack) to Cheyenne.
Roadway damage on the bridge deck at the Remount Interchange is visible and WYDOT personnel will be surveying the damage from the heat of the fire to the roadway to determine the extent of damage to the roadway and the overpass.
Again, updated information will be issued when it is made available.
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Interstate 80 closed between Cheyenne and Laramie due to multiple crashes
Cheyenne – (Sunday, Sept. 27, 12:57 PM) This situation is currently on-going and information is limited. This is what we know at this time.
Currently both lanes of Interstate 80 are closed between Cheyenne and Laramie due to multiple vehicle crashes. There are reported injuries however, the number of injured and the total number of vehicles involved in the crashes is unknown at this time.
This began at approximately 11:14 a.m. this morning when the driver of a westbound tractor trailer combination lost control of his vehicle. The combination went through the median at the Remount Interchange, through the guardrail and onto the bridge deck on the eastbound side where it rolled onto its side. The semi tractor was hanging over the bridge deck and was fully engulfed in fire.
As westbound traffic slowed at the crash site multiple vehicles were involved in a second crash which involved an unknown number of tractor trailer and passenger vehicles. Extrication was dispatched along with fire equipment from fire districts within Laramie County.
The first tractor trailer combination was hauling a load of plastic bags which continue to burn at this time.
Eastbound Interstate 80 will be closed for a longer period of time while engineers with the Wyoming Department of Transportation inspect the bridge structure for fire damage.
It is unknown at this time how long both eastbound and westbound lanes will remain closed. When further information is available it will be passed along to all media outlets.
We appreciate your cooperation and understanding in this situation.
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