A local single mother who survived the 26-vehicle pileup inside the Green River Tunnel on Friday credits a brave stranger for leading her and others to safety through thick smoke and explosions.
Andrea Domhoff, who was caught in the multi-vehicle crash that resulted in three fatalities and multiple injuries, described how she felt her way along the tunnel wall as she followed the voice of Ray Norton, a man she now calls a hero.
The crash began outside the tunnel but quickly escalated inside, where vehicles collided in winter conditions. Domhoff, driving through the tunnel after missing her usual exit, braked upon seeing an accident ahead. Moments later, she was struck from behind, and another vehicle swerved to avoid her, colliding with semitrucks further ahead.
While Domhoff initially thought she would be stuck in the tunnel for an extended time, the situation turned life-threatening when explosions erupted, and the tunnel filled with smoke.
“There was a fireball,” she recalled telling her father on the phone. “Something exploded… and it’s starting to get smoky.”
As Domhoff prepared to leave her car, Ray Norton—a stranger at the time—banged on her window and called out:
“You’re not going to be able to see me, but listen for me.”
Following his instructions, Domhoff covered her nose and mouth with her hoodie, cradled her phone, and kept one arm against the tunnel wall as she followed his voice to safety.
She later learned that Norton had already led his own family to safety but chose to run back into the smoke-filled tunnel to help others.
“I can’t even imagine what his family thought when he ran back in there for us,” Domhoff said, holding back tears. “I’m eternally grateful. Because of him, I got to see my babies again.”
Firefighters attempted to battle the intense blaze, but falling concrete from the tunnel’s lining forced them to retreat.
Authorities confirmed that three people lost their lives, and at least five others were injured. The wreck involved 16 commercial trucks and 10 passenger vehicles, some carrying flammable cargo.
The Wyoming Highway Patrol and other agencies are investigating the cause of the crash, but officials caution that the process will be lengthy due to the extensive damage. The westbound tunnel remains closed indefinitely, while the eastbound tunnel is expected to reopen to two-way traffic in the coming days.
Domhoff, who sustained only minor elbow scratches and smoke inhalation, said the experience changed her perspective on life.
“I’m even grateful to be able to work my two jobs,” she said. “I’ll do that every day of my life if I have to.”
She chose to return to the tunnel the following night to retrieve her fire-damaged vehicle, finding a sense of closure in the process.
Meanwhile, local businesses and residents in Green River and nearby Rock Springs have rallied to support crash survivors and injured community members, hosting fundraisers and donation drives.
As the investigation continues, Domhoff hopes to connect with other survivors and ensure that Norton’s bravery is recognized.
“I got lucky to be in a community where people like that exist,” she said.
Cowboy State Daily, Bigfoot99 Radio, FOX 13 Salt Lake City, and 2KUTV contributed to this report.
