Commercial Truck Ends Up in North Platte River After Driver Falls Asleep at the Wheel

At approximately 5:38 Thursday morning, troopers with the Wyoming Highway Patrol responded to a report of a motor vehicle crash on Interstate 80 just east of Sinclair. According to information from the Highway Patrol, the driver of a 2017 Freightliner commercial truck failed to maintain his lane after falling asleep. The commercial vehicle exited the roadway and traveled down an embankment before coming to a stop in the North Platte River.

Along with Highway Patrol, Carbon County Search and Rescue and the Wyoming Game and Fish Department responded to the scene.  The Carbon County Search and Rescue used their boat to assist in retrieving the occupants from the truck. The driver and passenger received minor injuries in the crash.  The Wyoming Game and Fish and Carbon County Fire Department worked to contain any hazardous material leaking from the truck. Driver fatigue is being investigated as a possible contributing factor.  The driver was cited for failing to maintain his lane of travel.