Boston Car Accident Lawyer Blog
A Lexus SUV crashed into a school bus early Thursday morning in Boston’s O’Neill Tunnel. Thankfully, this story ends well. The SUV was being driven by 52-year-old Thomas Wells, a construction worker from Saugus, Mass. Wells was on his way to work when he dozed off behind the wheel. The crash occurred at around 6 a.m. Contact a Boston Motor Vehicle Accident Lawyer Today.
Fortunately, there were no children on the bus at the time of the accident. The traffic on Interstate 93 was backed up for hours. According to witnesses, after being hit by the SUV, the bus skidded to a stop in the tunnel’s southbound lanes. The stopped traffic extended to Wilmington, about 19 miles from the crash site.
Drowsy Driver Claims to Work ‘Long Hours’
“I wasn’t like snoring or anything, I just shut my eyes for a second, I guess, and drifted over,” said Wells, going on to say that he often works long hours. “Maybe I didn’t sleep that well last night, I don’t know. … I will tell you what, I’m 52 years old, and that’s the first accident I’ve had since I was 18.” However, when WBZ asked Wells if he was awake during the accident, he said, “Of course I was. I was on my way to work, like I do every day.”
Common Side-Effects of Drowsy Driving
More than 300,000 accidents are blamed on drowsy or fatigued driving annually. According to the National Sleep Foundation, drowsy driving can result in:
- Impaired reaction time
- Impaired judgment
- Impaired vision
- Short-term memory problems
- Difficulty processing information
- Decreased vigilance
- Decreased performance
- Aggressive behaviors
- Moodiness
Due to the dangers of drowsy driving, certain states are considering drowsy driving legislation. This legislation would permit law enforcement to charge fatigued drivers with a crime if another person is seriously injured or killed as a result of their lack of sleep.
Drowsy Driving Warning Signs
- Frequent blinking and yawning
- Missing an exit
- Drifting into the other lane
- Running over rumble strips
- Trouble remembering the last few miles
- Who is Most at Risk for Drowsy Driving?
Approximately one out of every 25 adult drivers reports having fallen asleep at the wheel in the previous month. That’s a lot of drivers. People most likely to drive drowsy include:
- Those who don’t get adequate sleep
- Long-haul truck drivers
- Late shift workers
- Those with untreated sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea
- Those who take medications that make them drowsy
The bus driver’s name has not been released, but police say he was a 60-year-old Randolph man. Although investigators still haven’t determined the cause of the accident, police said Wells will be cited.
Altman & Altman, LLP – Car Accident Lawyers Serving Boston and the Surrounding Areas
If you have been injured in any type of auto accident, the skilled personal injury team at Altman & Altman, LLP can help. With more than 50 years’ experience fighting for the rights of accident and injury victims, we have the knowledge and understanding to get clients the compensation they deserve in a timely manner. As people work longer hours and jobs become increasingly stressful, drowsy driving accidents continue to rise. If you’ve been injured, we can help you get your life back. Contact Altman & Altman, LLP today for a free and confidential consultation about your case.
