An ADOT TowPlow removing snow and ice from I-40 west of Flagstaff had to be taken out of service Thursday when a semitrailer clipped it while making an unsafe pass to the right. Officials say the plow driver was unhurt in the crash, which occurred in the westbound lanes of I-40 near Parks, but ADOT lost the use of a rig that allows a single driver to clear two full lanes in one pass. The semi didn’t stop. The TowPlow, a steerable trailer with a 26-foot blade that attaches to a regular snowplow truck, was taken to an ADOT repair shop, and crews hope to return it to service as soon as possible. Officials ask drivers to always respect the plow by staying at least four vehicle lengths behind and never passing a working snowplow until the operator pulls over to let traffic by.
