Dashcam footage released by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol shows a dramatic and highly controlled intervention after a driver fell asleep at the wheel while traveling at approximately 40 miles per hour on the Will Rogers Turnpike.

According to authorities, the driver had worked nearly 20 hours within a 24-hour period and fell asleep while driving home. With the vehicle’s lane assist system activated, the SUV continued traveling straight down the highway despite the driver being unresponsive.

An Oklahoma Highway Patrol officer initially attempted multiple non-contact measures to stop the vehicle, including activating emergency lights and sirens. When those efforts failed and the driver showed no signs of regaining consciousness, the officer made the decision to perform a precision maneuver to bring the vehicle to a stop.

The maneuver safely spun the SUV to a halt without causing injuries or damage to other vehicles. Officers then confirmed the driver was unharmed and coherent once awakened.

Police emphasized that the officer’s training and judgment prevented what could have become a serious or fatal chain-reaction crash on a busy roadway. The driver was issued a citation for inattention but did not require medical treatment.

Authorities used the incident to reiterate warnings about the dangers of fatigue behind the wheel, noting that drowsy driving can be just as dangerous as impaired driving, especially when drivers overestimate the safety benefits of driver-assist technologies.