A crash involving three semi-trailers on eastbound I-80 near Laramie has claimed the life of a North Carolina man and authorities say that a driver on a cell phone may have been a contributing factor.

According to Wyoming Highway Patrol officials, the accident happened just before 10:30 am on April 17th.  Conditions on the road at the time included snowfall, blowing snow, icy and snow-packed roads and limited visibility.

Troopers go on to say that the drivers of two Kenworth trucks were stopped due to multiple crashes on the highway.  Both trucks were straddling the fog line.  37-year-old Vasil Simu of High Point, NC was driving a 2006 Freightliner truck and collided with one of the waiting tractor trailer combinations, causing that truck to collide with the trailer in front of it.  It is believed Simu was using a cell phone at the time.

The cab of Simu's truck was crushed backward into the sleeper area of the truck, pinning Simu in his vehicle.  Simu died at the scene.

Investigators are estimating Simu's speed at the time of the crash at 60 miles per hour.  They say that driving too fast for conditions and a possible distraction on Simu's part were factors in the crash.

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