Preliminary report indicates truck driver fell asleep at wheel in I-95 crash

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Christiana Fire Co. photo.

Delaware State Police Friday continue to investigate the crash of tractor-trailer and car on  Interstate 95 southbound at Route 141. The mishap was reported around 4 a.m. and a preliminary reports indicates the driver of the big rig fell asleep at the wheel.

This comes after an accident in New Jersey involving a Wal  Mart rig  where the driver allegedly had gone without sleep for 24 hours. The drive pled not guilty to charges.

That crash killed one person and critically injured comedian Tracy Morgan who was returning from an appearance in Dover.

That crash has ignited a debate on the hours truckers spend behind the wheel.

I-95 was reopened for traffic at 9 a.m. in the latest accident.

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Minquas  and Christiana’ Fire companies went to the scene  Crews  worked for more than a hour to free the individual, Christiana reported.

State Police offered the following account:

Preliminary investigation indicates that the crash occurred on Friday, June 27 at about  4:08 a.m. as Phillip Bates, 45, of f York, Pa. was operating a United Parcel Service (UPS) tractor-trailer  traveling from I-295 southbound merge onto I-95 southbound, hauling a cargo trailer.
 The tractor trailer traveled off of the roadway onto the right shoulder of the I295 merge, with the passenger side striking the guardrail. The tractor trailer continued southbound, overturning onto its left side, sliding to a stop, crossing and blocking the I95 southbound lanes. A 2010 Mercedes Benz sedan operated by Wai Phoon,80, of Berwyn, Pa was traveling I-95 southbound and was unable to stop, with the front of the Mercedes striking the under carriage of the overturned tractor trailer.
 
Bates, the  sole occupant of the tractor trailer ,  became trapped in the wreckage of the tractor for about an hour and was extricated by firefighters and EMS personnel. He was taken to Christiana Hospital and admitted with non-life threatening injuries.
 
 Phoon, the driver and sole occupant of the Mercedes was also taken to Christiana and admitted with non-life threatening injuries.
 
A preliminary  investigation indicates that Bates fell asleep while driving. He was issued a traffic citation for Inattentive Driving. The Delaware State Police Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program Unit (MCSAP) continues to conduct an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash with any other charges pending the conclusion of their investigation.

The crash made  the commute difficult for many, since I-495 is already closed, due to a bridge repair project.

 

 

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