Police Say Woman Fell Asleep at the Wheel Before Serious Injury Crash

The crash happened on Highway 140 near Fish Lake.

Photos of crash scene: Oregon State Police

(FISH LAKE, Ore.) - State Police say a Klamath Falls woman received non-life threatening injuries Wednesday afternoon when she reportedly crashed after falling asleep at the wheel.

She reportedly lost control of her sport utility vehicle while driving on Highway 140 near Fish Lake in southern Oregon.

Oregon State Police Senior Trooper Pam Gaither says today at approximately 12:07 p.m., a 1999 Honda CRV driven by 46-year old Theresa Lynn Carrigan of Klamath Falls, was eastbound on Highway 140 near milepost 30 when she reportedly fell asleep.

"Her vehicle drifted across the westbound lane and onto the gravel shoulder where she awoke," Gaither said.

"Carrigan tried to steer right back to the road, over-corrected and lost control. The Honda traveled back onto the westbound shoulder and up an embankment where it rolled about three times, coming to rest in the westbound lane on its side."

Gaither says Theresa Carrigan was trapped in her vehicle and extricated by personnel from Lake Creek Fire & Rescue.

She was transported by Mercy Flights helicopter to Rogue Valley Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries.

Highway 140 was closed about 30 minutes for helicopter response. ODOT was on scene handling traffic control duties.

OSP was assisted at the scene by Jackson County Sheriff's Office and the other previously mentioned agencies, Gaither said.