Multi-vehicle crash and fire in I-80 westbound tunnel near Green River prompts multi-agency investigation
February 15, 2025 | Sweetwater County, Wyoming
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Gov. Mark Gordon, governor of Wyoming, and state and local emergency responders briefed the public on a multi-vehicle crash and ensuing fire that occurred in the westbound Interstate 80 tunnel near Milepost 90 in Sweetwater County.
"I just wanted to kick this off, and and first off, acknowledge what a devastating, incident we had yesterday," Gov. Gordon said, adding, "I'm particularly sad that we have a couple of fatalities at least so far." He urged the community to support first responders.
The Wyoming Highway Patrol, represented by Major James Thomas, said the initial 911 call came in at about 11:38 a.m. the prior day reporting a crash in the westbound lane near the tunnels. Thomas said responders found multiple vehicles on fire and that active fire conditions initially prevented lifesaving measures inside the tunnel.
"We came across several vehicles involved in that westbound lane along with an active fire, which prevented some of the lifesaving measures there that we could do at that time until fire conditions could improve," Major Thomas said. He said the Division of Criminal Investigation and the U.S. Department of Transportation are assisting with evidence collection and that the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will conduct a parallel investigation.
John Edens, Wyoming DOT District 3 engineer, said traffic has been routed through Green River on Flaming Gorge Way and that crews are working to place concrete barrier and open the eastbound lane for head-to-head traffic. "We're gonna be really down to an effective lane width of about 10 and a half, 11 feet," Edens said, noting oversized loads will need to detour.
Randy Rinksmeier, Wyoming DOT bridge and tunnel inspector (structural), described the westbound tube as suffering "extensive fire damage, in about the middle third of the tunnel." He said the surrounding rock does not show signs of collapse but that the concrete liner — about "1 foot 3 inches" thick, he said — has been damaged and is shedding loose concrete. He added that lighting anchors and other liner-mounted systems have been compromised.
"We need to go through and check every square foot of that concrete liner," Rinksmeier said. He and other officials said investigators plan LIDAR and thermal-camera surveys and other testing before a scope and cost for repairs can be estimated.
Officials described the investigation as lengthy and hazardous because of structural concerns, air quality and remaining hot spots. Major Thomas said investigators are working from the west to the east side of the tunnel as conditions allow and coordinating with the Sweetwater County coroner and county attorney's office.
Sheriff John Grossnickle of Sweetwater County thanked first responders and the community for support. "We sign up to serve. We never see know what we're gonna see when we go into these situations," Grossnickle said.
Representative J.T. Larson (House District 17) and others raised the longer-term question of an all-weather alternate route between Rock Springs and Green River. Edens said the corridor has been studied for decades but estimated that constructing a full all-weather alternate capable of carrying heavy commercial traffic would likely cost in the tens of millions of dollars — "probably now pushing the 50,000,000, 60 million dollar price range," he said.
Officials urged motorists to consult WYDOT's 511 service for the latest traffic information and said the department will issue press releases when contractors are mobilized and barriers are in place. Edens gave a working target of two to three days to open the eastbound lane for head-to-head traffic, contingent on barrier placement and contractor availability.
Medical response teams and local hospitals were credited for quickly mobilizing. State officials said employee-assistance resources are being offered to responders and county staff.
Investigators declined to provide definitive counts of fatalities or the total number of vehicles still inside the tunnel while the scene remains hazardous. Major Thomas said the investigation will aim to document causation factors and that video from bystanders, while useful, may not capture the full circumstances.
The NTSB will spend several days evaluating the scene and may issue safety recommendations; officials said they will follow those recommendations and consider engineering, maintenance and operational changes if warranted.
Officials said they will continue to update the public as evidence collection and restoration work proceed.
"I just wanted to kick this off, and and first off, acknowledge what a devastating, incident we had yesterday," Gov. Gordon said, adding, "I'm particularly sad that we have a couple of fatalities at least so far." He urged the community to support first responders.
The Wyoming Highway Patrol, represented by Major James Thomas, said the initial 911 call came in at about 11:38 a.m. the prior day reporting a crash in the westbound lane near the tunnels. Thomas said responders found multiple vehicles on fire and that active fire conditions initially prevented lifesaving measures inside the tunnel.
"We came across several vehicles involved in that westbound lane along with an active fire, which prevented some of the lifesaving measures there that we could do at that time until fire conditions could improve," Major Thomas said. He said the Division of Criminal Investigation and the U.S. Department of Transportation are assisting with evidence collection and that the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will conduct a parallel investigation.
John Edens, Wyoming DOT District 3 engineer, said traffic has been routed through Green River on Flaming Gorge Way and that crews are working to place concrete barrier and open the eastbound lane for head-to-head traffic. "We're gonna be really down to an effective lane width of about 10 and a half, 11 feet," Edens said, noting oversized loads will need to detour.
Randy Rinksmeier, Wyoming DOT bridge and tunnel inspector (structural), described the westbound tube as suffering "extensive fire damage, in about the middle third of the tunnel." He said the surrounding rock does not show signs of collapse but that the concrete liner — about "1 foot 3 inches" thick, he said — has been damaged and is shedding loose concrete. He added that lighting anchors and other liner-mounted systems have been compromised.
"We need to go through and check every square foot of that concrete liner," Rinksmeier said. He and other officials said investigators plan LIDAR and thermal-camera surveys and other testing before a scope and cost for repairs can be estimated.
Officials described the investigation as lengthy and hazardous because of structural concerns, air quality and remaining hot spots. Major Thomas said investigators are working from the west to the east side of the tunnel as conditions allow and coordinating with the Sweetwater County coroner and county attorney's office.
Sheriff John Grossnickle of Sweetwater County thanked first responders and the community for support. "We sign up to serve. We never see know what we're gonna see when we go into these situations," Grossnickle said.
Representative J.T. Larson (House District 17) and others raised the longer-term question of an all-weather alternate route between Rock Springs and Green River. Edens said the corridor has been studied for decades but estimated that constructing a full all-weather alternate capable of carrying heavy commercial traffic would likely cost in the tens of millions of dollars — "probably now pushing the 50,000,000, 60 million dollar price range," he said.
Officials urged motorists to consult WYDOT's 511 service for the latest traffic information and said the department will issue press releases when contractors are mobilized and barriers are in place. Edens gave a working target of two to three days to open the eastbound lane for head-to-head traffic, contingent on barrier placement and contractor availability.
Medical response teams and local hospitals were credited for quickly mobilizing. State officials said employee-assistance resources are being offered to responders and county staff.
Investigators declined to provide definitive counts of fatalities or the total number of vehicles still inside the tunnel while the scene remains hazardous. Major Thomas said the investigation will aim to document causation factors and that video from bystanders, while useful, may not capture the full circumstances.
The NTSB will spend several days evaluating the scene and may issue safety recommendations; officials said they will follow those recommendations and consider engineering, maintenance and operational changes if warranted.
Officials said they will continue to update the public as evidence collection and restoration work proceed.
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