A truck driver sustained serious injuries on the West Slope this morning, when he fell asleep at the wheel of his water tanker on Interstate 70, went airborne across the oncoming lanes and plowed through two fences, state troopers said.
Donald J. Abbey, 47, of Clifton was rushed to Grand River Hospital in Rifle then moved to St. Mary’s Hospital in Grand Junction. He was spared worse injuries because he was wearing a seatbelt, according to the Colorado State Patrol.
The crash happened at 5:45 a.m. between Parachute and Rulison.
Abbey was traveling west when he went off the right side of the road, traveled 934 feet along the embankment, before crossing the westbound lanes, hit the median and went airborne for 30 feet across both eastbound lanes.
He then hit a wildlife fence, crossed the access road and through another wire fence before coming to a stop, upright, about 350 feet off the interstate, according to the state patrol.
The water tanker, owned by Marsh Trucking of Grand Junction, was empty at the time, troopers said.
Troopers said alcohol nor drugs are suspected, but rather it appears Abbey fell asleep.
He was given a ticket for careless driving.
