A deadly crash on Wyoming’s I-80 caused chaos and devastation after several vehicles collided inside a tunnel near Green River. Thick smoke poured from the wreckage, creating a terrifying scene as emergency responders rushed to help.
Witnesses described hearing loud explosions and seeing black smoke fill the air. Authorities have not yet confirmed the number of fatalities, but they warned of an “explosion threat,” raising concerns about further damage.
The crash happened around 11:30 a.m. and involved multiple semi-trucks and passenger vehicles. Stephanie Harsha, a spokesperson for the Wyoming Department of Transportation, said the accident is under investigation by the Wyoming Highway Patrol. First responders are working at the scene to rescue survivors and assess the damage.
David Brewer and his daughter Alyssa, who were traveling from Kemmerer to Rock Springs for a medical appointment, were just 200 yards away from the tunnel when the crash happened. David recalled hearing several explosions and seeing thick smoke rising from the tunnel.
“We heard and felt the huge explosions,” he said. “They went on for 30 to 45 minutes.”
Traffic came to a complete stop, leaving the father and daughter stuck on the road for nearly 90 minutes. Alyssa described the frightening situation, saying that emergency responders had to run into the tunnel on foot with medical bags because ambulances couldn’t get through.
Another witness, Jennifer Lynn Carr, who lives about a mile from I-80, also heard the massive crash. She was heading outside to check on her daughter when she heard a loud boom coming from the tunnel.
“I walked outside and saw a big cloud of smoke rising,” Carr said. “Within 30 minutes, smoke was pouring out of both ends of the tunnel.” She and her daughter could hear multiple crashes as vehicles collided.
Authorities have closed I-80 in both directions as emergency crews work to contain the situation and prevent further explosions. Investigators are still trying to determine the cause of the crash and the full extent of the damage.
Residents and travelers are being urged to avoid the area while crews continue their rescue efforts. The accident has left many shaken, as they wait for updates on the victims and the cause of the disaster.
