A trucker was killed in a crash near Fair Play, South Carolina on Sunday morning while trying to avoid hitting a woman who was falling asleep at the wheel.
Sleepy Motorist Causes Crash
The accident occurred around 6:30 a.m. in the northbound lanes of I-85. An Alabama driver who told authorities that she was beginning to feel tired lost control of her vehicle, hitting a median before coming back onto the road. 60-year-old trucker Gary A. Stephens was driving behind the sleepy woman. Stephens swerved but was unable to stop his truck in time. He hit the woman’s vehicle. His truck then left the road and slammed into a tree.
Stephens was pronounced dead on the scene.
The woman said that she woke up just as her pickup truck began to spin out on the highway. She told authorities she saw Stephens taking action to avoid hitting her.
Family Initially Wanted Dog Cremated With Trucker
Stephens’ 14-year-old dog Cosmo survived the crash. Stephens’ family members wanted the dog put down and cremated with Stephens because he required medication and would be a painful reminder of their lost family member. However, the family later agreed to allow Cosmo to go to a loving home after an EMS worker volunteered to adopt the dog.
Cosmo had ridden in Stephens’ truck his entire life.
Sources:
WYFF
Fox Carolina
Atlanta Constitution Journal