A fiery collision on Sunday afternoon resulted in serious injuries for one individual after their vehicle struck the back of a semi-truck on I-80 in Utah. According to KUTV, the accident took place near milepost 24 when a small SUV collided with a semi pulling a trailer, subsequently becoming engulfed in flames. The driver was airlifted to a hospital for treatment.
Following the crash, traffic on westbound I-80 was significantly impacted, with all lanes initially coming to a standstill. One lane was reopened shortly before 6:30 p.m., as per the Utah Highway Patrol's announcement on social media. Utah's Department of Transportation (UDOT) advised motorists on its website to "expect extended delays" as the left shoulder remained blocked, while the right shoulder was accessible according to ABC4.
The sole occupant of the SUV sustained serious injuries during the incident but is expected to recover. The driver of the semi-truck was not harmed in the event. Corporal Eddie Wright, a spokesperson for Utah Highway Patrol, informed FOX 13, "The SUV went under the trailer and caught fire." This detail underscores the severity of the situation that unfolded on the busy interstate.
While the Westbound lanes were shut down to allow emergency services access to the site of the collision, by evening one lane had been made available to facilitate the flow of traffic, suggesting a path to normalcy might soon be within reach. All lanes were projected to reopen around 8 p.m. on the same day, signifying a partial resolution to the chaos sown by the day's events.
