Carbon County, WY — January 25, 2025, Mihai Priala was killed in a truck accident at about 11:35 p.m. on eastbound Interstate 80.

Authorities said a Ford F-150 was going the wrong way on the interstate when it crashed head-on into a semi-truck. The truck was passing another semi-truck at the time of the crash.

Ford driver Mihia Priala, 46, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash south of Walcott, according to authorities.

The truck driver was not injured.

Authorities have not released any additional information about the crash near mile marker 232 at this time.

Commentary

When I read about a crash like this, where a vehicle is traveling the wrong way on an interstate and collides head-on with a semi-truck, the most immediate question is how the wrong-way vehicle ended up in the truck’s path. Wrong-way crashes are relatively rare, but when they involve commercial trucks, they often result in severe or fatal outcomes.

One of the first things investigators should examine is how the Ford F-150 entered the interstate going the wrong direction. Did the driver mistakenly enter via an off-ramp, or was there another factor that caused them to cross into the eastbound lanes? Wrong-way crashes frequently occur due to unclear signage, poor lighting or road designs that make it easier for drivers to become disoriented. If this stretch of Interstate 80 has a history of similar incidents, that could indicate a larger issue with highway infrastructure.

The semi-truck’s role in this crash should also be examined, even though reports indicate the truck driver was traveling in the correct lane. The report mentions that the truck was passing another semi-truck at the time of the crash. Did that maneuver limit the truck driver’s ability to react or take evasive action? While it’s unlikely the truck driver could have avoided the crash, reviewing dashcam footage and ECM (black box) data could provide insight into the sequence of events leading up to the collision.

Additionally, highway safety measures should be reviewed. Many highways have countermeasures designed to prevent wrong-way incidents, such as illuminated warning signs, pavement markings and detection systems that alert law enforcement when a vehicle enters in the wrong direction. Were any of these measures in place on this stretch of road, and if so, did they function as intended?

Wrong-way crashes like this are complex events that require a detailed investigation. Authorities should consider every potential contributing factor to get a full understanding of what led to this collision. The vc