Semi Tractor Trailer Crash at Elk Mountain

ELK MOUNTAIN - Troopers are still trying to determine the cause of a semi truck and trailer rollover crash near mile marker 242 that closed the westbound lanes of I-80 for approximately six hours early Wednesday morning (10/16/07).  Westbound I-80 from Laramie to Wolcott Junction was closed just before midnight due to a semi truck rollover and a spill from its cargo trailer.  The 2006 Volvo truck pulling a van trailer came to rest partially in the median about 15 miles west of Elk Mountain.  The truck was transporting Texapon N95, which is a powder that is a strong oxidizing agent used as a cleaning detergent.  The powder spilled onto the westbound lanes and into the median.  The driver, 23 year-old Adrian Rafalo from Illinois, was partially pinned in the truck and had to be extricated by rescue personnel.  Fire department personnel and equipment from Rawlins, Carbon County Fire, Elk Mountain, Saratoga and Sinclair responded to the accident.  During the road closure, all westbound traffic was re-routed onto US 30 at Laramie.