STORY COUNTY, IOWA – A semi-truck driver allegedly dozed off on a busy Iowa Interstate and crashed through the opposing lanes and into a frontage road, law enforcement says.
The Iowa State Patrol shared a photo of the aftermath, with the semi on its side, apparently from the recent accident. They claimed that the driver may have dozed off, causing the potentially dangerous accident to occur.
“This is why the Iowa State Patrol enforces hours of service regulations for commercial motor vehicle drivers,” the agency said via social media.
“The driver of this semi was southbound on Interstate 35 in Story County, lost control, went through the cable barriers, across the northbound lanes, coming to rest on a frontage road east of the Interstate.”
“Driver was found to be in violation of hours of service, and admitted to falling asleep,” the Iowa State Patrol said.
Drowsy driving is a serious issue, the patrol re-iterated, and reminded that semi drivers are restricted on the hours they can work.
Drowsy driving can be as dangerous was drunk driving, most experts agree.
