Semi truck driver fell asleep, causing crash that blocked I-84 Wednesday morning

A semi truck driver who fell asleep was the cause of a crash that blocked eastbound Interstate 84 east of Boise, Idaho State Police reported.

Both lanes, then one lane, were closed for about two hours, backing up traffic as crews worked to move a tractor-trailer out of the roadway.

Around 5 a.m., 36-year-old John Vazquez, of Twin Falls, was eastbound near milepost 62 in a Freightliner commercial truck hauling a trailer. He fell asleep and drove off the roadway on the left shoulder. He then overcorrected, causing the vehicle to overturn as it returned to the road.

The truck, which seemed to be on its side, came to rest in the eastbound lanes of I-84.

Vasquez, who wore a seat belt at the time of the crash, was taken to St. Luke’s in Boise. His condition was not immediately known.

Traffic moved slowly through the left shoulder to make room for crews until the left lane reopened. By 7:11 a.m., both lanes were open. ISP is investigating the crash.

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This story was originally published April 12, 2017 at 5:53 AM with the headline "Semi truck driver fell asleep, causing crash that blocked I-84 Wednesday morning."