Lake County-Late last night, Tuesday, May 8th, Indiana State Police Trooper Justin Dommer responded to a crash where a UPS driver went off the roadway totaling his semi tractor.

Preliminary investigation revealed, that at approximately 10:50 p.m., yesterday evening, a 2004 Volvo semi pulling double trailers was southbound on I-65 at the 245 mile marker (this is two miles south of the Crown Point exit).  The driver, Patrick Sornsin, 53 of Rockford, Illinois, stated he doesn’t remember getting onto I-65; he was coming from Rockford going to Marion, Ohio with his loaded trailers. 

The Volvo semi was in the left lane when it went off the road to the left, into the median, hit an impact attenuator, barrier cables, and lastly a bridge abutment.  The semi and trailers stayed upright and no load was lost.  The Volvo tractor was completely destroyed.  Sornsin was taken to Saint Anthony’s Hospital in Crown Point where he received stitches for a head wound.  He was wearing his seat belt.

Agencies assisting:  Indiana State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division, Crown Point Fire and Ambulance.

Driver fatigue does not get nearly the same level of attention as driving while texting or driving under the influence, yet a high number of crashes are caused by this preventable circumstance.  We've all seen signs of fatigued driving:  someone driving who has the inability to keep in their lane, slowing up then going faster; it may seem like they’re daydreaming or distracted. 

Here are some tips if you’re planning a trip:

• Schedule breaks
• Get out and walk around
• Pull over where it’s safe-take a short nap if necessary
• Avoid medications that can cause drowsiness
• If you see impaired or fatigued driving call your local, county or state police and be prepared to give information; such as your location, the description of the car, plates and how they’re driving.