Teton Pass traffic moving again after morning crash sends driver to hospital

JACKSON, WYOMING (KIFI) — Traffic has reopened along Teton Pass following a single-vehicle crash early Tuesday morning that brought drivers to a standstill and sent one person to the hospital.

According to Deputy Chief Brian Coe of Jackson Hole Fire/EMS, the crash happened around 7:47 a.m. near mile marker 11 on the Wyoming side of the pass. At this time, Coe says it appears the crash was caused by a medical emergency, but the incident is under further investigation.

Jackson Hole Fire/EMS took one person, the driver of the vehicle, to St. John's Health in Jackson. The driver's current condition has not been released.

While the crash initially blocked both lanes, WYO 22 reopened around 8:50 a.m. Coe says traffic has begun to flow again, but is significantly backed up.

Ongoing Calls for Safety Improvements

The crash comes amid calls for increased safety improvements and restrictions along the Teton Pass following a rash of fatal summer accidents. The Wyoming Department of Transportation recently began installing updated warning signs along Highway 22—including summit brake checks and parking restrictions near the gravel escape ramp. Warnings are also being updated to address "all vehicles" rather than just commercial truckers.

RELATED: New safety signs on Teton Pass as community pushes for safer travel

Starting Oct. 1, WYDOT will launch its Safe Pass education program. Drivers of RVs, vehicles towing trailers, and vehicles over 10,000 lbs will be required to complete self-certification on mountain driving safety prior to travel.

Advocacy groups like Make Teton Pass Safer are pushing for early warning signs in surrounding towns like Tetonia, Swan Valley, and Jackson to divert heavy vehicles toward Snake River Canyon before they reach the pass.