Laramie, Wyoming
A massive chain reaction crash involving two tractor trailers and dozens of other vehicles left two people dead and over 20 others injured on Monday. The fatal truck crash was reported at around 8:00 a.m. on Interstate 80 roughly 18 miles outside of Laramie.
Authorities say the accident began when two tractor trailers collided, causing one of the trucks to jackknife across all westbound I-80 lanes. Heavy fog was reported at the time and dozens of other vehicles soon began smashing into the jackknifed tractor trailer. Officials estimate that the crash involved a total of 64 vehicles, including a tanker truck hauling a 22,000 gallon tank of flammable material. The truck ended up sparking a fire that required the use of firefighting foam to extinguish.
According to a Facebook post from the Wyoming Highway Patrol, emergency responders pronounced 58-year-old Lynn Freeman and 23-year-old Jenay Breden dead at the scene. Between 20 and 25 other motorists were taken to an area hospital with injuries. Of that total, three people were admitted as patients and another was transferred to a hospital in Denver. Interstate 80 remained closed for hours following the crash so road crews could clean up and officials could conduct an investigation.
CBS 5 reports that law enforcement officials arrested 45-year-old truck driver Alex Dragaytsev of Quebec, Canada, late Monday, charging him with aggravated vehicular homicide. The trucker was taken to Albany County Detention Center in Laramie.
This accident highlights the dangers that exist when truck drivers don’t drive in accordance with road conditions. It is vital that all motorists—especially truck drivers—slow down and share the road when highways are slick and visibility is low. Today’s truck accident in Wyoming is a prime example of what can happen if motorists do not exercise caution.