Investigation Closed on Fatal I-80 Multi-Vehicle Crash

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) released a report this week outlining the events that led to the fatal crash on westbound I-80 at the Green River Tunnel.

At 11:33 a.m. on February 14, a 2006 Toyota Tundra was traveling west in the left lane through the tunnel. As it exited, it encountered possible ice, spun left, struck a metal guardrail, and came to rest about 150 feet beyond the tunnel exit blocking the right lane and part of the left lane.

 The driver of a westbound 2024 Peterbilt truck tractor hauling a 53-foot semitrailer came up on the stopped Toyota and attempted to avoid a collision but struck the left side of the tunnel. After regaining control, the driver steered clear of the Toyota and stopped on the right shoulder about 450 feet west of the tunnel exit.

Meanwhile, a westbound 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee was traveling in the left lane of the tunnel. The driver saw the stopped Toyota and braked, but lost control. The Jeep spun, hit the metal guardrail near the tunnel exit, veered northwest across both lanes, and came to rest against a hillside.

Moments later, the driver of a 2020 Volvo VNL truck tractor hauling a 53-foot semitrailer braked in response to the stopped Toyota. The sudden braking caused the vehicle to jackknife inside the tunnel, blocking both lanes about 200 feet before the tunnel exit.

Shortly thereafter, a 2012 Dodge Ram carrying four people crashed into the Volvo. At the same time, the driver of a 2019 Freightliner truck tractor with a 53-foot semitrailer swerved into the left lane, struck the tunnel wall, then collided with and overrode the Dodge. The tangled Freightliner and Dodge re-impacted the Volvo truck exited the tunnel, struck the Toyota, and finally came to rest after colliding with the rear of the Peterbilt.

Other vehicles inside the tunnel also collided, and a post-crash fire erupted. Two occupants of the Dodge died at the scene. A truck-tractor driver trapped inside his vehicle perished in the fire. Twenty other vehicle occupants sustained injuries of varying severity.