4 minutes

Dennis Katsnelson

Tragedy struck on the fateful evening of August 1 in Salt Lake City, Utah, when a devastating accident unfolded within a construction zone. The aftermath of a horrifying incident resulted in the loss of one individual's life. The incident took place at approximately 9:15 p.m. on westbound I-80 near 1300 East, leaving a lasting impact on the community.

We took this video from ABC4 Utah YouTube Channel.

According to reports from Fox 13, a semi truck navigating down the canyon encountered a catastrophic failure of its braking system. In a desperate effort to regain control, the truck swerved into the emergency lane, violently plowing through the closed-off construction site. The immense force propelled the truck through multiple construction barrels, narrowly missing a Utah Highway Patrol vehicle, and colliding with a pickup truck before ultimately crashing into a construction trailer carrying a substantial load of epoxy paint. The collision's magnitude unleashed a destructive inferno, reducing the truck to a blazing wreck. Flames consumed the vehicle, casting flaming debris throughout the highway and leaving the truck's cab charred beyond recognition. Tragically, upon extinguishing the raging fire, rescue crews discovered the lifeless body of the truck's driver within the wreckage. As of now, the identity of the deceased remains undisclosed, leaving loved ones and the community mourning the loss. Thankfully, there were no additional reports of injuries stemming from this catastrophic event.

In response to the incident, authorities swiftly closed down I-80 for an extended period, encompassing several hours. The closure was necessary to enable thorough cleanup efforts and conduct a comprehensive investigation into the details surrounding the tragedy. Although I-80 westbound was eventually reopened at approximately 6:30 a.m. on Wednesday morning, motorists are advised to exercise caution and anticipate potential delays as the aftermath is meticulously addressed.