A semi-truck driver who fell asleep at the wheel was hospitalized following an early morning crash on westbound I-96 near D-19 in Howell.

Deputies from the Livingston County Sheriff’s Office responded around 6:30am to the three-vehicle personal injury accident involving a semi-tractor trailer and two vehicles on westbound I-96 east of D-19, also known as Pinckney Road. The semi was operated by a 53-year-old Warren resident who had fallen asleep at the wheel, went off the roadway to the right, hit the guardrail, came back onto the freeway and struck a 2011 Ford Super Duty truck operated by a 41-year-old Perry resident. The impact forced the Ford truck into a 2000 Chevy Blazer, which was operated by a 26-year-old Brighton resident. The semi driver, who was cited for careless driving, was transported to the University of Michigan Medical Center in Ann Arbor with non-life threatening injuries.

The left and center lanes of westbound I-96 were shut down for approximately three hours until 9:30am, resulting in significant traffic back-ups and delays. Members of the Michigan State Police Motor Carrier Division, the Howell Area Fire Department and Livingston County Ambulance assisted deputies at the scene.

Meanwhile, a crash about two hours later occurred in the backup from the D-19 accident. At approximately 8:30am, deputies from the Livingston County Sheriff’s Office responded to a 3-vehicle personal injury accident on westbound I-96 east of Dorr Road involving a 2001 GMC Yukon driven by a 33-year-old Howell area resident. The GMC Yukon went off the road and struck a 2008 Honda, which was unoccupied and parked on the shoulder. It was later determined the 2008 Honda was reported stolen out of the city of Lansing. The GMC Yukon came back into the freeway and struck a 2000 Chevy Blazer operated by a 46-year-old Brighton resident.

The driver from Howell was transported to the St. John Providence Park Hospital in Novi with non-life threatening injuries. Alcohol is not believed to be a factor in the accident.

The left and center lanes of westbound I-96 were closed for approximately 10 minutes. The left lane remained closed for approximately 40 minutes. Members of the Brighton Area Fire Department, the Michigan State Police Brighton Post and the Livingston County Ambulance service assisted deputies at the scene. (JM/JK)