Two Injured In Indiana Crash After Driver Falls Asleep At The Wheel

February 29, 2012

Fatigued driving may be the cause of a Taylorsville, Indiana, car accident that left two men injured yesterday. According to reports from The Republic, the crash happened just after 3:15 PM, in the southbound lanes of I-65 near the Taylorsville exit.

The Chief Deputy of the Bartholomew County Sheriffs Department, Maj. Todd Noblitt, stated that a 68-year-old man was driving a van down the highway with a 61-year-old passenger when he began to drift to sleep. As he slipped deeper into sleep, the van began to veer off to the shoulder of the highway where it plowed through approximately 30-feet of guardrail before flipping.

The two men were able to get free from the wreckage and were taken to Columbus Regional Hospital. The driver was treated for hip pain, while the passenger received care for minor injuries to his arms.

Fatigued driving can be as dangerous as drinking a driving. Statistics from the Department of Transportation show that driver fatigue is a factor in 19 percent of accidents and the cause of nearly 5 percent of all fatal crashes. Fatigue:

• Slows Reaction Time
• Decreases Awareness
• Impairs Judgment

If you’re driving, the Indiana Auto Accident Attorneys with Fleschner, Stark, Tanoos & Newlin suggest allowing yourself time to stop and rest if needed. Roll down the windows and talk until you find a safe place to stop. Also, remember to allow yourself time to become alert before driving after resting.