First snow brings I-80 crashes

A number of vehicle crashes created havoc for people driving on I-80 Monday.

The first snowstorm of the season created difficult driving conditions for people, resulting in reduced visibility and icy roads.

Stephanie Harsha, public involvement specialist for the Wyoming Department of Transportation in Rock Springs, said highway patrol troopers were still filing crash reports as of Tuesday afternoon.

Many of the crashes occurred between Green River and Rock Springs and included wreaks severe enough to slow and stop traffic on both the east and westbound lanes, while others occurred near the tunnels outside of Green River.

One semi overturned while another jackknifed Monday.

She said traffic was affected by the crashes for about two hours.

While there were a high number of crashes, serious injuries weren’t a part of the day.

“We’re fairly lucky that there weren’t any fatal crashes or critical injuries,” Harsha said.

She said drivers need to get into the mindset of driving in winter conditions. Harsha said the variable speed limit signs have helped keep the interstate safer and are a great service to drivers during snow storms.

While the Wyoming Highway Patrol had a busy day, the Green River Fire Department wasn’t called as frequently.

“It was very, very uneventful,” Battalion Chief Larry Erdmann said.

Erdmann said the department was called out to a single-vehicle rollover near mile marker 91 with Castle Rock Ambulance Service. The two services left the scene after learning the occupants left the crash and returned to Green River.