The eastbound Pennsylvania Turnpike lanes were closed during rush hour this morning after a truck driver fell asleep behind the wheel and overturned.
It happened Monday, April 24th around 3:30 am between the Butler and Allegheny Valley exits.
According to CBS Pittsburgh, 58-year-old driver Marek Kozera told police that he fell asleep, causing the big rig to hit a guardrail, overturn, and catch fire. The truck was carrying mail and was on its way to several Maryland US Postal service locations.
“He had driven about seven and a half hours, when he reported that he believed he fell asleep. His vehicle then drove off the right side of the road way on the shoulder, up onto the guide rail and at that point his vehicle overturned blocking all three lanes of the turnpike,” Cpl. Jason Terwilliger of the Pennsylvana State Police said.
The driver was not hurt in the accident and was able to leave the rig on his own. 230 feet of guardrail was damaged and needs to be replaced, officials say.
Update: PA turnpike Eastbound between Butler Valley and Allegheny is open, after tractor trailer carrying mail overturned overnight. #KDKA
— Lisa Washington (@LisaWashing) April 24, 2017
30 vehicles behind the crash were trapped on the highway for over 2 hours. Around 5:45 am, 1 Eastbound lane was opened briefly to free the trapped vehicles, but both lanes were promptly closed again. The closure lasted until approximately 9 am Monday morning.
Police say the driver will be charged with careless driving, and may face additional charges once the investigation is complete.