Summary
WSP says an 18-year-old Nezperce man fell asleep at the wheel early Friday morning and rolled his pickup; crash happened on U.S. 12 at the bottom of Alpowa Grade.
Story Published: Oct 12, 2007 at 4:48 PM PST
Story Updated: Oct 12, 2007 at 10:22 PM PST
It happened just before 4:00 a.m. Friday morning on U.S. 12, about a half-mile west of Alpowa Road.
According to the Washington State Patrol, 18-year-old Zackary L. Winner was westbound in his 2002 Ford pickup at Stember Creek when he fell asleep at the wheel, drifted off the road, struck a guardrail, drifted back, striking another guardrail before rolling the pickup. The truck came to rest on its top.
WSP said Winner was injured but refused treatment. WSP said two passengers, 24-year old Brett J. Edwards of Grangeville and 24-year-old Justin H. Robinson of Craigmont, were also injured. Edwards was transported to Tri-State Memorial in Clarkston and Robinson was taken to St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in Lewiston. Their condition was unknown.
A Garfield County Sheriff’s deputy at the scene said Winner was apparently driving to work.
"From what I understand, the driver fell asleep,” said Deputy Chris Mickelsen. “He was working out of Pomeroy and had to be to work at 5:00 a.m., and was still pretty tired."
Asotin County Sheriff and Fire responded. The Washington State Patrol said Winner was issued a citation for negligent driving.