A 44-year-old Missouri man sustained non-life threatening injuries after veering off the interstate early Tuesday morning.

Captain Brent Melander of the Saline County Sheriff’s Office tells KSAL News that at approximately 4:07 AM deputies were called to I-70 mile marker 248. A 1998 Peter built semi-truck with an empty 53 ft box trailer was going east, when the driver crossed into the median, struck the center turn around, continued across west bound lanes of traffic, and drove into the north ditch were the truck struck a concrete culvert.

The semi was disabled with serious damage including a cracked frame, damage to the underside, a broken front axle, and the box was leaning.

The driver from Raytown Missouri was transported by EMS to the Salina Regional Health Center with non-life threatening injuries. A 25-year-old male passenger suffered from a cut above his eye but refused care. It is suspected that the driver fell asleep behind the wheel. There were no other vehicles involved and the semi will be towed away from the scene.

The driver was cited for no proof of insurance.

_ _ _

Photos courtesy of the Saline County Sheriff’s Office: