DaytonDailyNews.com

STAUNTON TWP., Miami County — A Michigan man was killed early Monday when a tanker truck veered off southbound Interstate 75, went across the northbound lanes, drove off the road again and hit trees after the driver apparently fell asleep, Miami County sheriff's deputies said.

James Swindell, 35, of Livonia died at the scene of the 12:40 a.m. crash, shortly after being cut from the wreckage.

Sheriff's Deputy Bryce Adams said several witnesses saw the truck go out of control while traveling on I-75 south. The truck crossed the median then crossed the northbound lanes before leaving the road and going into trees. The crash report listed driver fatigue/falling asleep as contributing factors.

Adams said when deputies arrived on the scene, the driver was conscious and responsive to emergency crews, but was trapped in the badly damaged truck cab. Adams said it took time for crews to cut Swindell out of the truck, and he was bleeding heavily.

Emergency transport crews, including a medical helicopter, were standing by but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Adams said the highway was closed for several hours after the accident. Some traffic was restored by about 4 a.m. He said traffic on the northbound side of the highway remained reduced to one lane through most of the morning, and southbound traffic was slowed, although all lanes there were open.

Adams said the truck was loaded with transmission fluid, which did not leak after the accident.

He said a second tanker truck was routed to the scene so the payload could be removed from the truck.

Contact Nancy Bowman at (937) 335-4357 or nbowman@DaytonDailyNews.com or James Cummings at (937) 225-2395 or jcummings@DaytonDailyNews.com.