Vehicle Fire Shuts Down I-82 Thursday Morning

A vehicle fire closed down westbound I-82 for about 20 minutes Thursday morning around 6:30 after a Jeep Cherokee slammed into the back of a semi.

Trooper John Bryant said 26-year-old Moises Navarro Nunes of Yakima was driving the Cherokee when he fell asleep at the wheel.

"Take a break from your vehicle." implored Bryant, "Rest, get some caffeine, get some fresh air, go take a nap if you have to, or just go home. When you're that tired, studies have shown that someone being to the point of falling asleep … it's like driving drunk."

Bryant added that tragedy was avoided because Nunes' seatbelt and airbags played a factor. He refused aid at the scene. Nunes was cited for negligent driving 2nd degree, and his vehicle was a total loss.