Aug 21, 2008 9:00 pm US/Central
Truck Crashes After Driver Falls Asleep; 2 Hurt
MOKENA, Ill. (STNG) ―
Two people were injured after the driver of a semi truck fell asleep behind the wheel and crashed into a median early Thursday on I-80 near southwest suburban Mokena.
A semi truck traveling eastbound on I-80 crashed into a concrete median barrier, striking a light pole on top, near LaGrange Road (U.S. 45) about 2:55 a.m., according to Illinois State Police Joliet District Master Sgt. Cheryl Lisy.
The trailer portion of the semi tipped over and ended up on the barrier. The cab separated from the trailer and stayed upright across the eastbound lanes, Lisy said.
The two pieces of the truck -- hauling boxes with items inside to Hobby Lobby -- were left about three lanes apart, she said.
The driver of the truck, Peggy Mayo, and a male passenger were ejected from the truck and taken to Silver Cross Hospital, according to ISP Joliet District Master Sgt. John Rattigan.
Mayo, 53, of Meeker, Okla., was cited for improper lane usage and for not wearing a seatbelt, he said.
She claimed she fell asleep behind the wheel, Rattigan said.
Westbound lanes on I-80 reopened at 5 a.m. following the crash, while eastbound lanes reopened at 6:26 a.m., according to police.
(Source: Sun-Times News Group Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2008. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
Video: CBS 2's Picks To Click
