Fatal crash caused by alleged sleeping truck driver

People in Kentucky could be interested in this story about a truck driver who fell asleep at the wheel, causing a fatal crash. At approximately 8 a.m. on March 5, a 54-year-old man from Yakima was driving a box truck on rural Highway 97 near Orondo, Washington. When he was 5 miles north of the small community, he allegedly crashed into a car and a school bus after falling asleep and crossing the centerline of the road, according to the Washington State Patrol.

The collision killed the driver of the car, who was pronounced dead at the scene. In addition, 43 students were sent to a local hospital for evaluation and treatment of bumps, bruises, lacerations and fractures. The deceased driver was a 22-year-old woman from Orondo. She had a 12-year-old female passenger in her vehicle who was transported to Central Washington Hospital in Wenatchee. A hospital representative reported that she was treated and released. The 53-year-old Orondo School District bus driver, the truck driver and the 36-year-old truck passenger were all reported to be in satisfactory condition at a local hospital later that night.

Investigators are checking for evidence to determine whether drugs or alcohol may have been involved in the crash after acquiring the truck driver’s voluntary blood sample. WSP reported that the same truck driver had been cited for crossing the centerline in the same general area in 2014. A collision was the result and injuries were involved.

When a truck accident is the cause of serious injuries to individuals, it can hit those victims especially hard. They could be in a position of having to face financial problems as a result of the accident. A personal injury attorney with a background in handling truck accidents could help them by filing a claim for compensation.

Source: ABC News, “Officials: Truck Driver Fell Asleep in Fatal Collision,” March 5, 2015