Driver falls asleep, crashes into ditch, guardrail in Pierce Co - WQOW TV: Eau Claire, WI NEWS18 News, Weather, and Sports

Press Release from the Pierce County Sheriff's Department: On Tuesday, September 25, 2012 at 4:34 PM, the Pierce County Sheriff's Department was notified of a motor vehicle accident with injuries on 650^th Avenue East of 330^th Street in Gilman Township. Investigation of the accident showed that a Stephen J. Traynor, 60 years of age, from rural Elmwood, Wisconsin had been operating his 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix Eastbound on 650^th Avenue. Stephen's vehicle continued eastbound in the ditch. The vehicle then impacted the bridge guardrail on the North side of the roadway of 650^th Avenue.

The vehicle went through the guardrail and landed in the North Ditch of 650^th Avenue. The vehicle then rolled and came to rest on its side. Stephen had to be extricated from the vehicle. Assisting at the scene were Elmwood Fire Department, Spring Valley Fire Department, Spring Valley Ambulance, Mayo Helicopter, and the Pierce County Sheriff's Department.

Stephen was transported from the scene by Spring Valley Ambulance to the River Falls Area Hospital with undetermined injuries. Investigation of the scene showed that the accident was caused by the operator falling asleep.