Fatigued driving results in I-70 crash near Cloverdale

A 2006 Toyota is a total loss Wednesday afternoon after the driver, Jonathan Nichols-Pethick, 49, Terre Haute, apparently fell asleep at the wheel in the westbound lanes of Interstate 70, went into the median, overcorrected and skidded broadside into a westbound tractor-trailer.

CLOVERDALE -- Authorities are blaming a two-vehicle accident in Putnam County Wednesday afternoon on a fatigued driver.

Indiana State Police and Putnam County emergency agencies responded to the two-vehicle accident in the westbound lanes of Interstate 70 near the 42-mile marker, a mile east of Cloverdale, at approximately 1:30 p.m.

Preliminary investigation revealed that Jonathan Nichols-Pethick, 49, of Terre Haute, was westbound in his 2006 Toyota when he reportedly fell asleep and traveled into the median.

Nichols-Pethic then reportedly overcorrected, traveled back into the westbound lanes, and skidded broadside into a westbound tractor-trailer.

The 2015 Freightliner tractor, driven by 43-year-old Mark Bishop of Cheney, Kan., then struck the passenger car and both vehicles impacted the guardrail.

Nichols-Pethick was transported to Putnam County Hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries. No other injuries reported.

Nichols-Pethick was cited for driving left of center.

Crash was investigated by ISP Trooper Mike Wood. Assisting were ISP Sgt. Cory Robinson and Troopers James Crisp and Yan Dravigne, along with personnel from the Putnam County Sheriff's Department, Cloverdale Police and Fire, and Putnam County Operation Life paramedics.