Facebook Twitter

Fatal wrong-way crash in Parleys Canyon causes major delays

SHARE Fatal wrong-way crash in Parleys Canyon causes major delays
merlin_1769403.jpg

A driver was killed in a crash early Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020, after driving the wrong way on I-80 in Parleys Canyon and colliding head-on with a semitrailer.

Utah Highway Patrol

SALT LAKE CITY — One is dead after an early morning crash in Parleys Canyon, troopers said.

The crash occurred about 3:30 a.m. Saturday when an SUV driving west in an eastbound lane on I-80 near mile marker 133 hit a semitrailer head-on, said Utah Highway Patrol trooper Michael Gordon.

The driver of SUV, who was not wearing a seat belt, was partially ejected and sustained fatal injuries, Gordon said.

Additional information about the driver, including name and gender, was not immediately released.

Why the driver was going the wrong way on the freeway remained under investigation Saturday morning, according to Gordon.

The truck driver was evaluated on scene for injuries and declined transportation to a hospital, the trooper said.

There were no passengers involved in the crash.

Video of the freeway in the area later Saturday morning showed a long line of traffic moving slowly while three lanes remained closed. It was estimated to be cleared by 9:45 a.m., according to the Utah Department of Transportation.