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Driver whose vehicle ended up in Battle River had fallen asleep at the wheel

Ponoka RCMP say the driver of a vehicle that went off the road and ended up in the Battle River at around 7 a.m. on Tuesday had fallen asleep at the wheel.
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The Ponoka County Fire Department’s Community Response Spill Trailer at the scene of the accident July 9. Photo submitted

Ponoka RCMP say the driver of a vehicle that went off the road and ended up in the Battle River at around 7 a.m. on Tuesday had fallen asleep at the wheel.

The driver nodded off before leaving the Highway 2 northbound lane, just south of the Highway 53 overpass, and crashed into the ditch before his vehicle became submerged in the river.

The driver was taken to hospital with minor injuries and was later released.

A small amount of fluid from the vehicle created a sheen on the water, so the Ponoka County East District Fire Department utilized its community response spill trailer.

Although there won’t be any criminal charges laid, there may be charges under the Traffic Safety Act, say police.