OSP cites Bend truck driver in Hwy. 20E crash for falling asleep

(Update: OSP details, driver cited)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- A Bend truck driver was cited Tuesday for falling asleep at the wheel, leading to a crash into a utility pole on U.S. Highway 20E east of Bend that knocked out power to more than 500 area residents, Oregon State Police said.

Scott Jacob, 34, was heading west on the highway near milepost 9 and Dodds Road around 1:40 p.m. when his truck crossed into the oncoming lane, then off the north shoulder of the highway, where it struck a utility pole and overturned, troopers said.

The driver was unhurt, OSP said, but the power pole was destroyed, and arcing power lines caught a juniper tree briefly on fire.

Bend Fire & Rescue, Deschutes County sheriff's deputies, ODOT and Central Electric Cooperative responded to the scene.

The highway was completely shut down for about a half-hour, then reopened to one lane and flaggers controlling alternating traffic for about two hours, OSP said.

Troopers said Jacob, who admitted he fell asleep, was cited for failing to drive within a travel lane.

The truck was totaled, OSP said, and Consolidated Towing removed it from the scene.

The truck, which overturned and came to rest against a tree, initially was believed to be a fuel tanker truck, but that was not the case, officials on scene told NewsChannel 21.

Central Electric Cooperative reported the crash knocked out power to about 550 CEC members. Power was restored by 5 p.m., but crews still were at work, replacing the damaged pole, a co-op spokesman said.

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