Accident caused by sleepy driving

For The Madera Tribune

A car sits in a vineyards after the driver fell asleep at the wheel Friday morning on Avenue 7 1/2, east of Road 6. The driver was wearing his seat belt and was not injured.

---

A 19-year-old Madera man was involved in a crash on Avenue 7 1/2, east of Road 6, after falling asleep behind the wheel early Friday morning. 

While traveling westbound, the driver veered across the eastbound lane and crashed into a vineyard on the south shoulder. The driver was wearing his seatbelt and was not injured.

“Driving while you are tired is a dangerous combination,” said the Madera CHP in a statement. “Most people are aware of the dangers of drinking and driving, but do not realize that drowsy driving can be just as fatal. Like alcohol, sleepiness slows reaction time, decreases awareness, impairs judgement, and increases your risk of crashing.”