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SALT LAKE CITY — A fiery crash on I-80 that killed one man and forced the closure of the freeway for about eight hours overnight remained under investigation Wednesday.
About 9:10 p.m. Tuesday, Utah Highway Patrol troopers were conducting traffic control on westbound I-80 near 1300 East. Construction workers were painting under the 1300 East bridge. In preparation, the freeway through that area was closed down to one lane. Troopers were sitting in their patrol cars in the construction zone to warn motorists to slow down.
A semitruck came into the construction zone, however, traveling at freeway speed, according to the UHP.
"The semitruck knocked down several construction barrels and narrowly missed hitting (a) trooper's car. The semi clipped a pickup truck, then struck the back of another semitruck causing that semi to jackknife," UHP said in a statement.
The first semitruck then hit a 24-foot construction trailer "full of epoxy paint," UHP said. "The semi cab immediately became fully engulfed."
The driver of the semi, a 38-year-old man, was killed. His name had not been released as of Wednesday. No other injuries were reported.
UHP Sgt. Cameron Roden said investigators were still looking Wednesday at whether the brakes of the semi that caused the crash may have failed. A trooper early Wednesday said it appears the brakes may have failed as the semi headed west through Parleys Canyon. It was traveling at 70 mph to 80 mph when it approached the construction zone.
The freeway was closed in both directions while emergency crews worked to put out the fire. Eastbound lanes reopened about 5:15 am. The entire freeway was reopened by 6:30 a.m.
Witnesses say before the crash… it looked like the semi that looks to have lost its brakes lost control well before and was trying to pass on the shoulder and avoid hitting traffic.@KSL5TVpic.twitter.com/7ZSjggzgYR
— Karah Brackin (@kbontv) August 2, 2023
Contributing: Karah Brackin
