A quiet early-morning run on Interstate 10 turned tense on Monday when a dump truck plowed into the back of a school bus near mile marker 350 in Jacksonville, authorities said. The crash happened around 6:54 a.m. with only one child on board. No injuries were reported, and troopers say the truck driver later admitted he had fallen asleep at the wheel.
Details from troopers
According to a Florida Highway Patrol news release reported by Action News Jax, the driver, a 44-year-old Jacksonville man, told investigators he was "very fatigued behind the wheel and fell asleep." The release states he woke up and tried to steer clear of the bus but could not avoid the impact.
Crash scene and aftermath
Reports indicate the front of the dump truck slammed into the rear of the school bus while both vehicles were traveling in the right eastbound lane of I-10. Yahoo reports that first responders at the scene found no injuries.
Why fatigue is dangerous
Fatigue behind the wheel is a widespread and often underreported problem. The AAA Foundation has found that drowsy drivers were involved in roughly 18% of traffic fatalities between 2017 and 2021. Commercial drivers are among the groups at higher risk, and experts warn that brief "microsleeps" can leave a vehicle effectively uncontrolled for several seconds, which is more than enough time for a serious crash.
How drivers can avoid drowsy crashes
Federal safety guidance urges drivers to get at least seven hours of sleep, avoid their personal peak sleepiness window between midnight and 6 a.m., and pull over for a short nap at the first sign of drowsiness. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommends a 20-minute rest in a safe, well-lit area as a short-term countermeasure. The agency also notes that certain medications and untreated sleep disorders can significantly increase crash risk. See NHTSA for more tips.
I-10 history in Jacksonville
I-10 in Jacksonville has seen its share of big-truck trouble. In September 2025, an overturned dump truck near the I-295 interchange caused major traffic delays, underscoring how heavy vehicles can have an outsized impact on this busy corridor.
