Photo courtesy of Point Plover Metro Wire

By Shereen Siewert | Wausau Pilot & Review

The driver of a semi tractor trailer that veered off of Hwy. 10 and crashed into the woods allegedly fell asleep behind the wheel and was cited for inattentive driving, according to a follow-up report from Point Plover Metro Wire.

The Friday, April 12 crash was reported at about 8 a.m. in the eastbound lane of Hwy. 10 near Algoma Street in Hull. A 911 caller told dispatchers that a westbound truck, owned by Merrill-based Tri Hi Transportation Inc., left the roadway and came to a stop in the trees on the north side of Hwy. 10.

The truck did not strike any buildings or other property and no one but the motorist was injured, according to Hull Fire Chief Ken Sadogierski.

The driver was an 82-year-old man. He was transported to Aspirus Stevens Point Hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening.

Sadogierski estimated about 75 gallons of diesel fuel spilled from the truck’s fuel tanks, into a lower area of conservancy near Parkdale Park near the east side of Stevens Point, so he called the hazmat team from the Plover Fire Department.

Firefighters finally left the scene shortly after noon on Friday.

The man’s name has not been released.

During a follow-up interview on Saturday, Pederson said the man fell asleep behind the wheel, and suffered injuries to his hands and head.