I-80 tunnel accident report released

The causes of the deadly Interstate 80 tunnel accident on February 14 are starting to be better understood, thanks to the official investigation being conducted by the National Transportation Safety Board. The NTSB released preliminary information from their investigation into the accident last week, explaining how the crash began and what vehicles were involved.

The accident began around 11:33 a.m. on Friday, February 14, when a Toyota Tundra pickup truck spun to the left and struck a metal guardrail while exiting the westbound I-80 tunnel near Green River.

"The variable speed limit (including inside the tunnel) was set at 55 mph, having been reduced from 65 mph the night before due to the weather," the report explained. "Snow had fallen earlier in the day, and although the weather was clear, the roadway was wet with possible ice and/or slush forming near the tunnel exit."

The Toyota came to rest about 150 feet from the westbound tunnel exit, blocking the right lane and a portion of the left lane, according to the report. A Peterbilt semi-truck struck the left side of the tunnel after trying to avoid the stopped Toyota. The driver regained control and stopped about 450 feet west of the tunnel exit. A Jeep Grand Cherokee traveling through the tunnel hit the brakes after seeing the stoped Toyota, began to spin, hit the metal guardrail and curb by the exit, and eventually stopped against the hillside past the right shoulder. Moments later, a Volvo semi-truck came through the tunnel.

"The Volvo driver braked in response to the stopped Toyota, which caused the combination vehicle to jackknife inside the tunnel and block the left and right lanes about 200 feet before the tunnel exit," the report continued.

A Dodge Ram pickup truck occupied by four people struck the Volvo's truck tractor shortly after. At the same time, a Freightliner Cascadia semi-truck steered into the left lane, struck the tunnel wall and collided with and overrode the Dodge.

"The entangled Freightliner and Dodge continued traveling west, re-impacted the Volvo's truck-tractor, exited the tunnel, struck the Toyota, and came to rest after striking the rear of the Peterbilt," the report explained. "Following these collisions, several other vehicles collided inside the tunnel, and a postcrash fire ensued."

No other details on the cause and start of the fire were given by the initial report.

Two of the fatalities in the accident were occupants of the Dodge. The third fatality was a driver of one of the semi-trucks inside the tunnel that was trapped inside the vehicle and died in the post-crash fire, according to the report.

The NTSB noted that all information released so far is preliminary and subject to change. Other parties involved in the investigation are the Wyoming Highway Patrol, Wyoming Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

"All aspects of the crash remain under investigation while the NTSB determines the probable cause, with the intent of issuing safety recommendations to prevent similar events," the report concluded.