Westbound I-80 Down to One Lane Near Elk Mountain Due to Tanker Crash

Motorists traveling westbound on Interstate 80 may experience a traffic slow down in the area approximately 9.5 miles east of the Elk Mountain interchange as Troopers investigate and provide traffic control for a tanker rollover.Wyoming Highway Patrol Sgt. Stephen Townsend says troopers report that the driver of the tractor trailer combination was traveling at a speed too fast for the road conditions.  At the time of the crash the area was experiencing winter weather type conditions and the variable speed limits had been reduced to 55 MPH.

The rear trailer of the tractor trailer combination overturned coming to rest in the median of the Interstate.  Approximately 200 of the 4,000 gallons of diesel fuel has leaked out; however, no waterways or water sources are threatened.

Troopers have closed the westbound passing lane only and traffic may proceed past the crash scene in the driving lane at a reduced speed.  Troopers are currently waiting for another semi tanker to arrive at which time a process will begin to pump off and transfer the remaining diesel fuel from the overturned trailer.

The driver of the tractor trailer combination, Gary Weinert from Cheyenne, Wyoming, has been cited for speed too fast for the existing conditions.  He was not injured in the crash and no other vehicles were involved.

Townsend says the temporary lane closure may last for several more hours as hazmat crews work on cleanup of the crash site and the fuel transfer.