Truck hits barrier in Balintawak as driver admits falling asleep

A trailer truck that turns on its side is causing traffic buildup along the northbound lane of Balintawak Cloverleaf. INQUIRER photo / Grig C. Montegrande

A 14-wheeler trailer truck slid and fell on its side along the Cloverleaf Balintawak northbound road on Thursday morning, causing heavy traffic in the area.

In a traffic report from the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) management, the accident happened at 5:21 a.m. along the Balintawak interchange approaching the NLEX toll plaza.

The report added that the trailer truck was casually traversing along the road when it suddenly veered to the left and climbed over the median barrier before tipping over to its side.

A crane lifts the trailer truck that turns on its side along Balintawak Cloverleaf northbound causing heavy traffic in the area. INQUIRER photo / Grig C. Montegrande

The mishap affected two lanes of the road, stalling the flow of traffic in the area leading to the Balintawak toll plaza of NLEX, the report said.

The driver of the truck, who emerged safe from the vehicle, admitted he fell asleep behind the wheel causing him to lose control of the vehicle.

No one was hurt during the accident, NLEX said.

The NLEX Traffic Control Room reported that at 9:53 a.m., the truck was completely removed from the road and all lanes had been declared passable to vehicles. /jpv