Median cables along busy interstates usually prevent cars from entering oncoming traffic lanes in the event of a collision, but this was not the case in a Dec. 13 accident just east of Newton along Interstate 80.

Douglas Lauridsen, 46, of Altoona was traveling eastbound when he fell asleep, causing him to drift toward the westbound lanes. His vehicle broke through the median cables, entered the ditch and rolled one and a half times before it stopped, and emergency response crews helped Lauridsen out of the vehicle.

Lauridsen did admit that he had been drinking earlier the day of the accident and that he had taken cold medication. His blood alcohol content was .051, below the legal limit. He did not sustain any serious injuries but was taken to Skiff Medical Center. He was cited with failure to maintain control in the accident, which caused an estimated $2,500 damage.