Green River Tunnel Crash: NTSB Reveals Probable Cause

GREEN RIVER, Wyo. — A preliminary report from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) suggests that a multi-vehicle crash in Wyoming’s Green River Tunnel on Feb. 14 likely began when a pickup truck lost control while exiting the tunnel.

The tragic incident resulted in three fatalities and left 20 others injured, according to the NTSB.

Investigators said the crash sequence started when a 2006 Toyota Tundra spun out near the tunnel exit, struck a metal guardrail, and came to a stop in the right lane. Wet and icy conditions may have contributed to the loss of control, despite clear weather at the time. Due to the hazardous road conditions, the speed limit on I-80 had been lowered from 65 mph to 55 mph.

Shortly after the initial crash, a tractor-trailer swerved to avoid the stopped pickup, striking the left side of the tunnel. A separate vehicle then lost control while attempting to stop, hitting a guardrail before coming to rest against a hillside.

The pileup escalated when another semi-truck jackknifed inside the tunnel, blocking both lanes just before the exit. A Dodge pickup carrying four passengers crashed into the jackknifed semi, followed by another tractor-trailer that slammed into the tunnel wall and then overran the Dodge truck.

Two of the Dodge’s occupants sustained fatal injuries, while a third person perished after becoming trapped in a burning tractor-trailer, the NTSB reported.

On Feb. 18, the Wyoming Department of Transportation identified the victims as Christopher Johnson, 20, and Quentin Romero, 22, both of Rawlins, Wyoming, and Harmanjeet Singh, 30, of Nova Scotia, Canada. All three were pronounced dead at the scene.

The NTSB emphasized that its findings are preliminary and subject to revision as the investigation continues. Officials are working to determine the exact cause of the crash and will issue safety recommendations to help prevent similar accidents in the future .

Author
Recent Posts

keelee-mccain

Keelee McCain is a junior at Weber High School. This is her second year on staff, this year as Assistant to the Chief. She does have a life (probably) but she can't think of anything to write in here, so she's probably just going to ramble now. She has an orange cat who she likes better than any human. If you see her being quiet or not sitting on top of a desk, there is something very wrong. In her free time she enjoys harassing her favorite teachers and sleeping. Her life plans include making it through high school and leaving. Happy lifeing.