WSP: Sleepy semi truck driver falsified logs prior to Tumwater crash | 911

A semi truck driver who troopers say falsified his driving log faces serious charges after he says he fell asleep at the wheel and crashed early Thursday.

The accident blocked all lanes of southbound I-5 in Tumwater for much of the morning.

"I woke up and it was too late," said 22-year-old Gus Hulstein, who was at the wheel of the semi truck when it crashed at about 5:30 a.m.

Hulstein was northbound near milepost 100 when he crashed into a WSDOT truck and then through the Jersey barrier and into the southbound lanes.

Huge pieces of concrete, truck parts and fluid debris littered the freeway, the state patrol said. In addition, the semi was carrying packaged paper pulp which required a longer cleanup.

No one was in the WSDOT truck, and Hulstein was not injured.

"It's very, very unbelievable that we are not dealing with multiple fatalities," said Trooper Guy Gill. "Could you have imagined if he crossed over when another vehicle was coming southbound or there could have been someone in the DOT truck."

The semi rolled on its side, forcing troopers to close the southbound lanes of the freeway while crews work to clear the semi and clean up the mess. The freeway reopened at 10:30 a.m.

The Department of Ecology was also called to check about 50 gallons of fuel that spilled from the semi truck.

The State Patrol says Hulstein faces charges of negligent driving, which carries a $500 fine. But the driver could face additional fines as troopers say they have proof Hulstein falsified his driver's log.  His log stated that he was asleep in his truck at the same time the state patrol has evidence of him crossing the truck scales near the Oregon/Washington border.

Hulstein said the truck he was driving was brand new, but  "It's not brand new anymore."

Troopers say the trucking company and/or driver could be billed for the clean-up, which could cost at least tens-of-thousands of dollars.