HEADS UP: I-80 westbound is closed at Silver Summit until noon due to a hazmat spill

The incident occurred when a semi-tanker truck pulling a pup trailer loaded with oil struck an elk near milepost 146 on I-80. The impact caused the pup trailer to overturn onto another car. Photo: Utah Highway Patrol

The incident occurred when a vehicle struck an elk near milepost 146 on I-80. Two more vehicles were disabled after hitting or swerving to avoid the elk carcass. A semi-tanker truck pulling a pup trailer loaded with oil then came through the scene and, after trying to swerve out of the way, struck one of the vehicles.

SUMMIT COUNTY, Utah – A hazardous materials spill has shut down westbound I-80 at mile marker 145.8 early Tuesday morning, following a collision involving a semi-tanker truck, multiple vehicles, and an elk.

According to the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT), the WB I-80 closure began at approximately 5:14 a.m. and is expected to start opening around 11 am if not sooner.

The incident occurred when a vehicle traveling eastbound on I-80 hit an elk and became disabled, coming to a stop on the right shoulder. Shortly afterward, another vehicle collided with the elk carcass and became disabled in the left shoulder. A third vehicle swerved to avoid the carcass and became disabled near the first vehicle, partially blocking the two lanes of traffic. At that point, a Semi tanker pulling a pup trailer came through the scene. The driver tried to swerve, but the trailer ended up colliding with the vehicle blocking lanes of traffic. The trailer over turned and was dragged down the interstate, where the truck, tanker and trailer came to a rest on the right shoulder.

The first driver was transported to an area hospital with non life threatening injuries. The driver of the vehicle hit by the trailer was transported with critical injuries, but is now listed as stable.

Some of the oil spilled onto the roadway, prompting a hazardous materials response. Emergency crews are working to contain the spill and reopen at least one westbound lane as soon as it is safe to do so.

Eyewitnesses reported visible damage to the vehicles, and responders remain on scene managing the incident. Westbound drivers should avoid the area, expect delays, and use alternate routes where possible.

More information will be released as it becomes available.

Editor’s Note: The article originally cited information from the Utah Highway Patrol stating that the semi-truck was the vehicle that initially hit the elk.