Trooper: Driver is lucky dog food didn't crush him

FIFE, WA -- Authorities in Washington state say a semitruck driver is lucky he wasn't crushed by 50-pound bags of dog food when he fell asleep at the wheel, crashed into a ditch and spilled the kibble.

Washington State Patrol Trooper Guy Gill said Wednesday that the driver acknowledged he was sleepy and there was no sign he used his brakes before the big rig left Interstate 5 in Fife, about 30 miles south of Seattle.

Gill says the driver was sore but apparently uninjured. He was checked at a hospital as a precaution.

Authorities say the driver will be charged with negligent driving.

The accident happened about 11:45 p.m. Tuesday, and the highway's northbound lanes were restricted until 5 a.m. while the bags of dog food were cleaned up.