Driver Injured In I-40 Semi Crash Near Checotah

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol says a semi driver and his passenger were taken to the hospital after a crash on Interstate 40 near Checotah early Friday. 
 
Troopers said a 2014 Freightliner driven by Felton Thomas, 28, of Carolton, Texas was headed east when he fell asleep just after 4 a.m. causing the truck to go off the highway.  They said he overcorrected, causing the truck to hit a guardrail and roll onto its side, pinning him.  He was freed by the Warner Fire Department.

A passenger, Paul Jones, 35, of Dallas, Texas was treated and released from a Sallisaw hospital.  Thomas was admitted to a Fort Smith hospital in stable condition.

Because of the crash, the OHP says eastbound traffic was reduced to one lane for several hours while crews cleaned up the wreckage.