1-80 Eastbound Now Re-opened[updated]

The man killed in a two vehicle crash on eastbound I-80 Friday morning has now been identified as 48 year old Jerry Roberts of Omaha, Nebraska.  Wyoming Highway Patrol Sgt. Stephen Townsend says  the crash happened around 5:40 a.m.  near Buford. Townsend says 51 year old Welton Seawright told investigating Troopers that he thought he was going up a steep incline.  He was operating his tractor trailer combination in the eastbound driving lane travelling at approximately 5 mph in a 75 mph zone.  The roadway at the crash location is fairly flat with a slight downgrade for eastbound traffic. Roberts was also eastbound and travelling at a speed estimated to be approximately 65 mph and was in the driving lane as well.  Evidence indicates that Roberts applied the tractor trailer brakes and skidded just prior to impacting the rear of Seawright’s van trailer. Upon impact, Roberts’ tractor trailer became immediately engulfed in flames coming to rest in the eastbound driving lane. The entire tractor trailer combination and load were consumed by fire. The impact caused both trailers to break open spilling their cargo onto the roadway and both eastbound lanes were completely blocked with wreckage and debris. Eastbound Interstate 80 was closed at Laramie shortly after the crash.  Eastbound traffic except for heavy commercial vehicles was re-routed onto WYO 210 (Happy Jack Rd.) during the temporary road closure.  Interstate 80 was re-opened approximately 2:00 p.m. however the driving lane at the crash site remains closed while heavy equipment operates in the area to remove debris. Upon completion of the crash investigation all information will be turned over to the Albany County District Attorney’s Office.  They will make the final determination of the filing of any criminal charges related to this crash.