JOHNSTON CITY - A semi-truck driver fell asleep at the wheel early Wednesday morning in the northbound lane of Interstate 57 at Johnston City and ran his rig off the highway and into a bridge abutment, leaving the man with major injuries.

State police report that Cody L. Frederick, 39, of Tennessee, was transported to the Heartland Regional Medical Center in Marion after the driver's one-vehicle accident occurred at approximately 5:50 a.m.

Frederick is charged with improper lane usage, driving with a suspended license, use of a radar detector and defective brakes. It was unknown whether or not he was wearing a seatbelt. The truck was towed to Vernell's Garage in Marion.

- John D. Homan