Man transported to hospital after 1-vehicle crash

A man transporting a trailer loaded with bricks fell asleep at the wheel, crashing into an embankment and scattering bricks on the road, police say.

According to state police at Clearfield, Jason Rutland, 41, of Blackshear, Ga., was traveling east on Interstate 80 in Bradford Township at 2:54 a.m. Saturday when he fell asleep behind the wheel of his truck.

After falling asleep, Rutland allegedly traveled about 351 feet before leaving the roadway and traveling into a ditch, where he traveled east another 420 feet before waking up and attempting to move his vehicle back onto the highway. But police say Rutland over-steered and went off the side of the road in the south direction, where he struck an embankment and some trees with the left side of his vehicle.

Rutland’s vehicle eventually came to a rest along the south shoulder of I-80, facing west. The flat-bed trailer he was hauling was loaded with small bricks, which came dislodged during the crash, and were scattered along the south shoulder and right lane.

Rutland was transported from the scene by Clearfield EMS to Penn Highlands Clearfield, where he was treated for suspected minor injuries.

BLW Volunteer Fire Company, Morrisdale Fire Company, Bigler Boyz Towing and the state Department of Transportation also responded to the scene.

Summary traffic violations against Rutland will be filed through district court in Klyertown, according to police.

This story was originally published September 30, 2017 at 11:04 PM with the headline "Man transported to hospital after 1-vehicle crash."