Winds, dust cause at least 1 fatality, 25 injuries on Utah highway
High winds knocked over several semitrucks in Tooele on I-80, causing at least one fatality and at least 25 injuries, according to the Utah Highway Patrol.
Westbound I-80 remains closed at mile post 99 for cleanup of the crash, according to the Utah Department of Transportation Twitter account. Eastbound lanes from mile post 0 to 99 were closed, but reopened about 4:45 p.m., according to UDOT traffic.
The crash causing the reported fatality took place as a cascading effect, according to police. A semitruck ahead of several passenger vehicles attempted to slow down after seeing inclement conditions. Due to low visibility, several of the vehicles behind the semitruck then collided with it.
At this point, a second semitruck also collided behind these passenger vehicles, police say. In total, at least six semitrucks and at least 11 passenger vehicles were involved in this larger crash. Police say several other minor crashes have taken place, but no major injuries have been reported.
The fatality victim is male and was in a passenger vehicle at the time of the crash, but has not been further identified.
The National Weather Service issued a high wind warning for western and central Utah on Tuesday morning. Gusts on I-15 at the Point of the Mountain and across the state are over 60 mph and drivers are urged to use caution, UDOT tweeted. An 82 mph windgust was reported just east of Dugway.
The Intermountain Allergy Center told KSL that there will be extra pollen blown into the air. They advise residents to keep their windows and doors shut to keep pollen and debris from getting inside homes.