Driver falls asleep, crashing tractor trailer on new I-885 in Durham

A tractor-trailer driver fell asleep behind the wheel Wednesday and crashed into a large road sign.

The crash occurred before 1 a.m. on the new East End Connector, also known as Interstate 885, near Exit 10 for U.S. Highway 70. The road reopened by 5:30 a.m.

The truck went through the guard rail, hit a sign, flipped and went into a ditch. The driver was taken to the hospital, and officers at the scene said he didn't appear to have any serious injuries.

The truck was full of cinder, which crews had to dig out to make the load lighter before lifting it out of the ditch.

The road was closed for several hours for the extensive cleanup, according to the North Carolina Department of Transportation. Crews had to cut parts of the guardrail in half and unbolt them with large wrenches. Next, a crane was used to remove the truck from the ditch.

The East End Connector opened in June, connecting U.S. 70 to the Durham Freeway and providing another route from I-40 to I-85, bypassing downtown.

Officials say it could cut some drivers commute down by around 10 minutes and ease congestion through downtown.