Shocking video captures close call for sleepy driver

A 20-year-old man is lucky to be alive after falling asleep at the wheel while driving on Highway 17 on May 30.

A couple from Sudbury, who were following the young man, witnessed the pick-up swerving in and out of the westbound lane near Fairbank Lake Road when it crossed the centre line and struck a tractor trailer.

The couple caught the incident on their dash cam, and posted the video to Facebook on Sunday.

"We were about 1 km passed the Fairbanks turnoff when I made a comment about him getting into an accident, when he suddenly hit a transport truck, missed a car and ended up in the ditch," Bryan Martin said in a Facebook post.

"Hats off to the transport driver who acted quickly. It was a miracle that the lady in the vehicle behind the truck was not hit."

The driver received minor injuries and was treated and released from Health Sciences North.

The Ontario Provincial Police charged the 20-year-old Manitoulin Island resident with careless driving under the Highway Traffic Act and driving without due care and attention.

"Fatigue is one of the leading causes of serious motor vehicle collisions," OPP Sgt. Bob Furchner told NorthernLife.ca on Monday.

"If you're tired, please pull over."

He had not seen the video when contacted by NorthernLife.ca.