Illinois driver falls asleep, survives crash with big rig

If you drive southeast of Edwardsville for about 140 miles, you will arrive in the small town of Carrier Mills, Illinois. The village of less than 2,000 residents was the site of a recent collision between a tractor-trailer and passenger vehicle on US 45.

According to local law enforcement officials, the woman fell asleep at the wheel of her vehicle, went off of the road and then sideswiped an 18-wheeler after she had managed to get her pick-up back on the highway. A news report stated that the 68=year-old was taken to a nearby hospital with unspecified injuries.

Illinois State Police said the crash took place shortly after 3 p.m. on a weekday.

The Carrier Mills resident had just about reached her hometown when her truck crossed into the northbound lanes and then exited the road. She managed to get her vehicle back on the road, but quickly left the highway a second time.

She then regained control enough to get back on the road, but again crossed the center line and veered into the northbound lane. This time she struck the driver’s side of a big rig, according to a news report.

The trucker had tried to avoid the collision, police said, but was unsuccessful in the attempt. There were no reported injuries to the truck driver.

The woman was fortunate to survive the incident. As many of our readers know, collisions between passenger vehicles and large commercial trucks often result in fatalities for those inside the smaller vehicles.

If you or a loved one has been harmed in a truck accident, contact an Edwardsville attorney experienced in personal injury litigation.