Two Dead in Fiery Semi Crash on I-80 in Wyoming

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Two California residents were killed on Sunday morning when their semi-truck drifted out of the eastbound lane on Interstate 80 in Wyoming and struck a parked semi-truck on the shoulder, causing a significant fire in the cab of their vehicle. The crash occurred east of Green River and closed the eastbound lanes of I-80 for several hours.

Why it matters

This tragic incident highlights the dangers of driver inattention or fatigue on the nation's highways, especially for commercial truck drivers who spend long hours on the road. It also underscores the importance of proper safety procedures and precautions for vehicles parked on the shoulder of busy interstates.

The details

According to the preliminary report from the Wyoming Highway Patrol, the crash occurred shortly before 6 a.m. on Sunday, February 9th. The Volvo semi-truck driven by the two California residents drifted out of the eastbound lane and collided with the rear of a parked Freightliner semi-truck on the shoulder. The impact ruptured the fuel tank of the Volvo, causing a significant fire in the cab that killed the two occupants. The driver of the parked Freightliner was uninjured.

• The crash was reported shortly before 6 a.m. on Sunday, February 9, 2026.
• One eastbound lane of I-80 was reopened around 10:50 a.m. on Sunday.

What’s next

The Wyoming Highway Patrol will continue to investigate the cause of the crash, including whether driver inattention or fatigue were contributing factors.