A firefighter sustained minor injuries Sunday morning when a sedan driver who reportedly fell asleep at the wheel crashed into a fire truck parked at an emergency scene on southbound Interstate 5 in Federal Way.
The collision occurred around 6 a.m. while emergency crews were responding to an earlier rollover DUI crash. The firefighter was seated in the driver’s seat of the fire truck when the sedan struck the emergency vehicle.
Both the firefighter and the sedan driver were transported to local hospitals with minor injuries and are expected to recover fully, according to officials.
Washington State Patrol Trooper Rick Johnson confirmed that investigators determined the sedan driver most likely fell asleep before the collision. No arrests were made, and authorities found no indication of criminal behavior.
“Essentially, we figured out they most likely fell asleep,” Johnson said. “We want to make sure that people understand drowsy driving is, you know, dangerous, if not just as dangerous as impaired driving.”
The incident highlights growing concerns about drowsy driving as the region approaches shorter daylight hours and darker commute conditions. Research indicates that young drivers and shift workers face particularly elevated risks for falling asleep while driving.
According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, losing four or more hours of sleep can impair driving ability similar to operating a vehicle over the legal blood alcohol content limit. Sleep experts recommend drivers obtain at least seven hours of quality sleep before driving.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data shows drowsy driving contributes to approximately 100,000 crashes and more than 71,000 injuries annually across the United States.
The Federal Way incident occurred at an already dangerous crash scene, where emergency responders were working to clear the earlier rollover involving an impaired driver. Emergency vehicles parked at crash scenes face heightened risks from secondary collisions, particularly during low-visibility conditions.
Washington State Patrol emphasizes the importance of driver awareness and adequate rest, especially as seasonal changes bring earlier darkness and potentially more challenging driving conditions.
The firefighter’s injuries underscore occupational hazards faced by emergency responders who work along busy highways while assisting motorists and clearing crash scenes.
Authorities continue urging drivers to recognize fatigue symptoms and pull over safely rather than risk falling asleep at the wheel, which can result in serious injuries or fatalities.
