Driver falls asleep, crashes into taxi

MOSES LAKE — A Walla Walla man reportedly fell asleep at the wheel in Moses Lake early Wednesday morning and crashed into the back of a taxi cab.

About 3:30 a.m. the Moses Lake Police Department received a report of a vehicle collision on South Pioneer Way, near East Nelson Road. Police learned a 26-year-old man, whose identity has not been released, was driving south on Pioneer Way in a 2006 Mini Cooper when he reportedly crashed into the rear of a taxi cab at a high rate of speed. Neither of the drivers showed any signs of impairment.

The Mini Cooper reportedly rolled and slid 300 feet on its roof. MLPD Capt. Mike Williams said there were no injuries that required medical treatment. The Mini Cooper driver reportedly admitted to falling asleep and claimed he didn’t remember the collision. The man was cited for negligent driving and operating a motor vehicle without liability insurance.

“We’d like to take this opportunity to remind everyone that drowsy driving is a leading cause of accidents, and statistically is as dangerous as driving while impaired by alcohol and/or drugs,” Williams remarked. “If you find yourself getting drowsy while driving, we strongly recommend pulling over and not driving until you are alert. Mini-naps, coffee and exercise are all ways that you can improve alertness and continue driving safely.”