Sleeping driver almost causes head-on crash

A 17-year-old male from Bayham almost caused a head-on crash on Talbot Line (Highway 3) in Summers Corners in the early morning of Tuesday, Sept. 9 when he fell asleep at the wheel.

Elgin County Ontario Provincial Police Constable Troy Carlson said officers were called to a one-vehicle collision just east of Springfield Road at about 5:40 a.m. that morning.

A 2004 Chevrolet pickup truck was travelling west on Talbot Line when it crossed over the centre line and into the path of eastbound traffic.

“Witnesses indicated that a minivan, which was traveling east on Highway 3, had to swerve out of the way to avoid a collision,” Const. Carlson said.

The minivan was not hit and continued on without stopping.

After the near collision the pickup truck left the roadway, severed a mailbox and entered the south ditch.

The truck then struck a guide wire supporting a hydro pole which snapped the pole and tore the hydro line from a nearby residence.

The front of the truck then came to rest buried into a bank at the edge of the driveway to the nearby residence.

Through their investigation, police determined the driver of the truck had fallen asleep, Const. Carlson said.

The driver was wearing his seatbelt and alcohol and distracted driving were not factors, he said.

In addition, road and weather conditions were not an issue.

The 17-year-old, who was not injured, was charged with careless driving.

Talbot Line in the area of the crash was closed for about 15 minutes for the truck to be taken away.