Truck Driver Arrested After Falling Asleep, Crashing In Construction Zone

Oregon State Police troopers arrested a commercial truck driver Thursday morning after he fell asleep driving southbound on Interstate 5 near Brownsville, crashing into a concrete barrier near construction workers who were working on the opposite side of the barrier. No one was injured.

At about 9:30 a.m., OSP troopers responded to a crash involving a commercial truck pulling a flatbed trailer southbound I-5 near milepost 221. A 2005 Kenworth truck driven by Steven M. Cook, 40, from Portland, was southbound in the Sodom Ditch bridge replacement work zone where nine construction workers were actively working on an adjacent bridge protected by a concrete barrier. OSP reports that Cook reportedly fell asleep and crashed into the concrete barrier near two of the workers who were about 10 to 12 feet away. After impact the truck and trailer slid along the barrier wall at highway speeds before coming to a stop.

Cook was arrested on charges of reckless driving and recklessly endangering highway workers and lodged in Linn County Jail.

The right southbound lane was closed for approximately 2 hours while crews worked to remove the truck.

OSP troopers from the Albany Area Command office are continuing the investigation. ODOT assisted at the scene.