Pileup on I-80 in Wyoming
Multiple crashes closed Interstate 80 in Wyoming between Laramie and Cheyenne on Thursday, April 16, 2015. Photo courtesy Wyoming Highway Patrol.
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Winter conditions
Multiple crashes closed Interstate 80 in Wyoming between Laramie and Cheyenne on Thursday, April 16, 2015. Photo courtesy Wyoming Highway Patrol.
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Crunched together
Multiple crashes closed Interstate 80 in Wyoming between Laramie and Cheyenne on Thursday, April 16, 2015. Photo courtesy Wyoming Highway Patrol.
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I-80 pileup
Multiple crashes closed Interstate 80 in Wyoming between Laramie and Cheyenne on Thursday, April 16, 2015. Photo courtesy Wyoming Highway Patrol.
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I-80 crash
Multiple crashes closed Interstate 80 in Wyoming between Laramie and Cheyenne on Thursday, April 16, 2015. Photo courtesy Wyoming Highway Patrol.
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Crashes close Interstate 80 between Cheyenne and Laramie
Three crash sequences from winter weather conditions result in injuries, no fatalities
by Wyoming Highway Patrol
April 16, 2015
Update, Thursday, April 16, 7:36PM:
33 commercial vehicles and 12 passenger vehicles is the latest estimate that were involved in one of the three crash sequences along with multiple other vehicles that were not part of an actual crash, but became stranded in the event due to road blockage. 16 motorists were transported by ambulance and 11 motorists were transported by a Laramie County School District bus to Cheyenne Regional Medical Center in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Six of those injured were critical to serious leg or spine injuries. No fatalities were reported from this event.
Speeds too fast for the blizzard conditions and loss of control are being investigated as contributing factors in the crashes that caused a "domino" style chain reaction after the first couple of vehicles lost control.
Agencies that responded were the Wyoming Highway Patrol, Laramie County Sheriff's Office, Albany County Sheriff's Office, Wyoming Office of Homeland Security, Laramie County Fire Districts 1, 2, and 10, AMR Ambulance, F.E. Warren First Responders, Wyoming National Guard First Responders, City of Laramie Fire Department, WYDOT and multiple tow companies from Cheyenne and Laramie. Joint training between all of these agencies and their dispatchers was credited for the rapid response, extrication, treatment and transport of those injured in the event.
Interstate 80 between Cheyenne and Laramie is expected to remain closed into tonight and possibly through the early morning hours of tomorrow (April 17th) as the investigation and cleanup continues through the evening. Weather will hold a strong determining factor for the investigators and cleanup crews as to when I 80 will be ready to reopen. Again, we ask motorists at the road closed gates in Cheyenne and Laramie to please be patient and check for updates at www.wyoroad.info or by calling 1-888-WYO-ROAD (1-888-996-7623)
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Original post, Thursday, April 16, 3:12PM:
Three major vehicle pileups near mile post 342 on Interstate 80 on both the east and westbound sides currently have I 80 closed between Cheyenne and Laramie. Blizzard conditions were present at the time of the crashes that involved approximately 40 - 50 commercial vehicles and 20 passengers vehicles between the three pileups.
Multiple agencies from two counties have responded to assist in tending to the injured and assisting Patrol with the investigations. No fatalities have been reported at the time of this release but multiple injuries have been confirmed.
The initial event began around 11:22 a.m. Vehicles not involved in the crashes are being cleared from the crash scene at this time. I 80 will remain closed for an undetermined amount of time as WHP Crash Team Members are responding to help with the investigation.
We ask that motorists waiting at the road closed gates in Cheyenne and Laramie be patient and check www.wyoroad.info for updates when the interstate will reopen.
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