Injuries Reported In I-80 Wrecks

Photos provided by Crystal Barwick, Tiffany Jones Asher, and Mary Shamer
Photos provided by Crystal Barwick, Tiffany Jones Asher, and Mary Shamer

At least three people suffered non-life threatening injuries in two separate wrecks on Interstate 80 between Green River and Rock Springs this morning.WWB_BAB

Two one-vehicle wrecks occurred on I-80 westbound this morning near mile maker 99 and mile marker 95. In both cases, the semi-trucks went off the road to the right, overcorrected, and tipped the truck in the road blocking both westbound lanes.

The first crash was reported around mile marker 99 at 6:29 a.m. According to Trooper Carris with the Wyoming Highway Patrol, the truck was driven by 24-year-old William Culpepper of Huntsville, Alabama. One passenger, a 29-year-old man whose name has not yet been released, was transported by ground ambulance to Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater County for non-life threatening injuries.

Culpepper was cited for failure to maintain a single lane of travel.

Trooper Carris said the roads were dry and there was no indication of equipment failure. Inattentive driving is being investigated as a contributing factor in the crash, and the wreck is still under investigation.

The second wreck was reported at 6:42 a.m. It was initially reported at mile marker 93, although the wreck actually occurred closer to mile marker 95 westbound.

Trooper Frye with Wyoming Highway Patrol said three men were in the truck at the time of the crash and all were transported to Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater County. The driver was released from the hospital soon after arriving, and the other two were treated for minor injuries.

The driver, Aaron Coleman of Michigan, was cited for failure to maintain a single lane of travel.

Trooper Frye said inattentive or tired driving were being investigated as possible causes, and the crash is still under investigation.

The interstate has reopened and traffic is beginning to clear. Both trucks involved in the wrecks have been moved out of the roadways.

Drivers are urged to use caution when driving near the crash scenes as wreckers will be working throughout the day to remove the trucks from the medians.