A trucker was killed in Parley’s Canyon last night when his rig collided with a double tanker full of crude oil.
BREAKING: I-80 in Parley’s Canyon is CLOSED in both directions due to a fiery crashing overnight involving 2 semi trucks. LIVE –>#KSLAM. pic.twitter.com/laWSqQP2Im
— Shara Park (@KSLSharaPark) February 23, 2017
Crash Happened As One Truck Passed Another In Near Whiteout Conditions
The crash happened around 10:20 last night on the snow-packed lanes of westbound I-80 at mile marker 139. Conditions were described as near whiteout.
BREAKING: Whiteout conditions in Parley’s Canyon on I-80 right now, very scary. Can’t see more than a few feet in front of us. #KSLAM pic.twitter.com/DlANFZw6jY
— Shara Park (@KSLSharaPark) February 23, 2017
The crash happened as a tanker truck attempted to pass another semi.
According to the Utah Highway Patrol, “One of the double tankers was trying to pass around another slower moving semi or stopped semi, we’re not sure what that status was but, as he went around that semi that semi then rolled backwards into him.”
The crash caused the tanker to rupture and leak oil, causing a large fire which engulfed the stalled semi.
The tanker truck driver was able to get out of his truck and wasn’t hurt in the crash.
The stalled semi driver was found dead in his cab by firefighters. He was later identified as 67 year old Wendell Lewis of Arizona.
Firefighters struggled to put out the flames because of the crude oil and eventually the Air Force called in a special rescue truck designed to fight oil fires.
Westbound I-80 was closed most of the night. All but one lane were reopened by 11:30 this morning. That lane was damaged by the fire and will need repair.
The crash is still under investigation.
MORE: Here is a closer look at the two semi trucks involved in the I-80 crash. The driver of the Voyager Express truck was killed. pic.twitter.com/81AFkc2wMn
— Shara Park (@KSLSharaPark) February 23, 2017
Sources:
The Salt Lake Tribune
Good4Utah
Fox 13 Now
KSL