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Nine-vehicle crash on I-15 at Primm causes major traffic delays


Three of the nine vehicles involved in a crash about 8:10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 5, 2019, on Interstate 15 at Primm. (NHP photo)
Three of the nine vehicles involved in a crash about 8:10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 5, 2019, on Interstate 15 at Primm. (NHP photo)
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The Nevada Highway Patrol closed both directions of Interstate 15 near Primm for a nine-vehicle crash Saturday, Jan. 5 around 8:00 a.m.

Police believe a suicidal person on the California side of the state line may have been a factor in the start of traffic congestion that led to the collision.

"There was a report of a vehicle and a suicidal person on the California side and it was located a ways into California. Officers were being careful, so we were in the process of slowing or stopping traffic at Jean," said NHP Trooper Travis Smaka. "That brought traffic congestion issues, and I'm being told one of the two semis didn't stop in time."

I-15 northbound was reopened around 9:00 a.m., roughly an hour after the collision, but I-15 southbound remained closed for nearly eight hours, one lane being opened just before 4:00 p.m.

"With nine vehicles involved it is going to take some time," Smaka said, referring to the cleanup.

Drivers experienced major traffic delays, and many were cited by NHP after trying to dodge the backup by illegally using emergency lanes and the highway shoulder.

Six hours after the crash, wreckers were still working to remove two damaged semi tractor-trailers.

The accident was cleared and all lanes of I-15 were back open by 5:50 p.m., but traffic was already backed up 10 miles from stateline, according to the Regional Transportation Commission.

“The road was shut down for more than seven hours because the debris, but then also because there was a diesel spill 25-35 gallon,” explained Trooper Buratczuk.

One person was flown from the scene by helicopter to UMC in critical condition, and another person was driven to the hospital by ambulance in stable condition.

The crash is still under investigation.


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