Summary: Three individuals lost their lives in the firey crash. 26 vehicles were involved; of them 8 vehicles were a total loss in the fire. An off-duty Trooper, who was in the tunnel at the time, helped others escape.
UPDATE: February 20, 2025
WYDOT District 3 opened the eastbound Interstate 80 Tunnel to head-to-head traffic today. Crews have placed more than 5,000 feet of concrete barrier and added additional traffic control signage and devices to help guide drivers through the area.
“We are treating it a lot like a typical construction zone on Interstate 80, but with some added safety measures,” WYDOT District 3 Engineer John Eddins said.
There will be a reduced speed of 35 mph from the crossover at mile marker 90 to the crossover at mile marker 91, with advanced signage to help drivers prepare and navigate the head-to-head lanes. In addition, crews have added screens to the concrete barrier to reduce headlight glare from opposing traffic.
Although Interstate 80 traffic will now be routed back through the tunnel, drivers should still plan for delays due to the reduced lane in each direction and lower speeds.
“This will help get interstate traffic moving on the highway again and out of Green River, but congestion will still be a factor,” Eddins said.
There is a 10.5 ft. width and 16 ft. height restriction through the head-to-head lanes in the eastbound tunnel. Oversized vehicles should contact the Wyoming Highway Patrol’s oversize loads permit office for detours. Info at https://whp.wyo.gov/commercial-carrier/ports-of-entry
“WYDOT would like to thank DeBernardi Construction and S & L Industrial for their hard work and quick response in installing all the necessary traffic control so we could get traffic moving on the interstate again,” Eddins said.
Work continues in the westbound tunnel, including clean-up operations, assessments and evaluations, so motorists are asked to drive cautiously and be aware of roadside workers and vehicles.
UPDATE: February 17, 2025
The Wyoming Highway Patrol and Sweetwater County Coroner identified those killed as 20-year-old Christopher Johnson of Rawlins, Wyo., 22-year-old Quentin Romero of Rawlins and 30-year-old Harmanjeet Singh of Nova Scotia, Canada.
Wyoming Highway Patrol has completed on-scene data collection at the site of the Interstate 80 Green River Tunnel crash, which is located at mile marker 90.2 within the westbound tunnel.
Troopers do not expect there to be additional fatalities in the investigation.
“Our hearts are heavy with the loss of these three individuals and we mourn with their loved ones,” said Col. Tim Cameron. “We ask that everyone respect the privacy of the families as they grieve. Details regarding the deceased will be shared when available.”
An off-duty Trooper was involved in the crash, but was not injured. The Trooper attempted to help people evacuate the tunnel. This Trooper is an active witness and not available for interviews and will not be identified at this time.
“Responding to calls like these weighs heavy on the hearts of first responders involved, and the WHP is here to support you,” said Cameron. “Our Chaplains would be happy to speak with any first responder who needs support.”
Work is far from over; next, Troopers will use all the evidence collected to digitally reconstruct the crash to determine narratives, causes and other details.
Photo shows a 3-D scanner sensor in place in the tunnel. WHP is using the scanned evidence to digitally reconstruct the crash scene.
Additionally, work preparing the eastbound tunnel for head-to-head traffic is ongoing, with WYDOT’s contractor DeBernardi Construction placing concrete barriers for the transitions into the tunnel and to separate lanes within the tunnel. The speed limit while traffic moves head-to-head will be 35 mph, and delays are expected.
“WYDOT has experience temporarily moving traffic head-to-head in the tunnels,” said John Eddins, WYDOT District 3 Engineer. “With reduced speeds and additional signage, we see this as a safe solution to minimize traffic impacts to the community of Green River. But with the high traffic volumes on I-80, there will still be some delays for drivers.”
WYDOT urges traffic to obey all posted speed limits and traffic control. There will be a 10.5 ft. width and 16 ft. height restriction through the head-to-head lanes in the eastbound tunnel. Oversized vehicles should contact WYDOT’s oversize loads permit office for detours. Info at https://whp.wyo.gov/commercial-carrier/ports-of-entry
In the meantime, WYDOT urges drivers to take it slow on the current detour through the community of Green River.
“There will be increased Trooper presence around the tunnels and within Green River to ensure safe driving and slower speeds,” said Cameron. “Use caution with GPS, as it may identify suggested routes that are not suitable for interstate traffic.”
UPDATE: February 16, 2025
(GREEN RIVER, Wyo.) — Wyoming Highway Patrol Troopers and other first responders have confirmed one additional fatality as they work to investigate and clear the tragic Green River Tunnel crash that occurred at mm. 90.2 on Interstate 80 Friday. Additional details will be provided as they become available.
WHP has cleared about half of the vehicles involved in the tunnel fire, basically to the middle of the 1,200 ft. tunnel. Last night, four passenger vehicles and nine commercial vehicles were removed from the crash site. In total, WHP believes 26 vehicles were involved in the event: 10 passenger vehicles and 16 commercial vehicles. Six commercial vehicles and two passenger vehicles were completely destroyed by the fire.
Through an emergency contracting process, the Wyoming Department of Transportation has contracted DeBernardi Construction to begin moving concrete barriers to the crossover lanes in preparation for guiding traffic head-to-head in the eastbound tunnel. WYDOT expects this to be in place by Wednesday.
“Thank you to the community of Green River for your support in keeping traffic moving during this thorough and complicated investigation,” said WYDOT District Engineer John Eddins. “We know that the detoured traffic was very impactful to your community this weekend, and we will continue to work to minimize impacts.”
There will be a 10.5 ft. width and 16 ft. height restriction through the head-to-head lanes in the eastbound tunnel. Oversized vehicles should contact WYDOT’s oversize loads permit office for detours. Info at https://whp.wyo.gov/commercial-carrier/ports-of-entry.
WYDOT and WHP are working closely with the National Transportation Safety Board on parallel crash investigations. Any questions about the NTSB investigation must be directed to NTSB’s Office of Media Relations.
UPDATE: February 15, 2025
It’s all hands on deck at the Green River Tunnels on Interstate 80 in southwestern Wyoming, with personnel from the Wyoming Highway Patrol, WYDOT District 3, and other state and local partners actively working the scene.
Active fire within the tunnel delayed initial investigation efforts, but the WHP Crash Investigation Team has arrived on scene and will provide details as available. There is no update on the number of fatalities or injuries.
“First responders bravely worked through the night to fight the fire in the tunnel, and we could not be more appreciative of their teamwork and support,” said WHP Lt. Col. Karl Germain.
Initial investigations show the Feb. 14 crash involved multiple passenger and commercial vehicles in the middle and western parts of the westbound tunnel located at mile marker 90.2 on I-80. More information will be provided as available.
WHP and local wrecker companies are working to clear damaged and abandoned vehicles out of the tunnel. Traffic continues to be routed around the crash; westbound traffic is being diverted at mile marker 91 and eastbound at mile marker 89 through Green River. Motorists are encouraged to obey posted speed limits through the community.
WYDOT engineers are confident in the structural integrity of the eastbound tunnel and its ability to carry traffic again once the westbound crash scene is cleared.
The fiery crash in the westbound tunnel caused electrical equipment and lighting to fall from the ceiling, and the soot from the fire is thick and will need to be cleaned. WYDOT engineers are waiting for the crash scene to be cleared to conduct full assessments of the westbound tunnel.
“Initial investigations show no sign of collapse in the westbound tunnel,” said WYDOT Director Darin Westby. “I continue to keep those involved in the crash and the first responders on scene in my thoughts and prayers.”
Original Report February 14, 2025
(GREEN RIVER, Wyo.) — Wyoming Highway Patrol and WYDOT District 3 personnel, along with multiple local agencies, responded to a multi-vehicle crash Friday afternoon in the westbound Green River Tunnel on Interstate 80. Officials are encouraging motorists to stay out of the area until otherwise announced.
The crash occurred at 11:37 a.m. Feb. 14 at mile marker 90.2 westbound on I-80. At this time, WHP Troopers have confirmed two fatalities in the crash, and law enforcement will continue investigations. Additional details on injuries and fatalities will be released once available. The scene has been contained and the tunnel has been evacuated.
“My heart is broken for the families and loved ones of the victims of this terrible crash,” said WYDOT Director Darin Westby. “My thoughts and prayers go out to all who are involved. WYDOT and WHP remain on scene to assist local emergency responders and provide additional support and traffic control.”
The eastbound lanes of the tunnel are currently being used for first responder staging. Traffic is being rerouted around the crash; westbound traffic is being diverted at mile marker 91 and eastbound at mile marker 89 through Green River.
“We want to express our sincerest appreciation to first responders in Sweetwater County for their support and assistance in responding to this tragic crash,” said WHP Lt. Col. Karl Germain. “Motorists are reminded to obey posted speed limits through the detour, and delays are likely.”
WYDOT Geologists and Bridge Engineers are en route to assess the tunnel infrastructure. More details will be announced as they become available.
As of 8 pm, the road is still blocked according to wyoroad.info.
I80: Crash, all lanes blocked between Rock Springs and Green River at milepost 90, all westbound traffic being diverted to exit 91, all eastbound traffic being diverted to exit 89.
Safety concerns caused by falling debris kept firefighters from getting inside the tunnel. State engineers planned to assess the structure on Saturday.
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