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Teen who was run over by semi driver who fell asleep speaks out about recovery

Posted at 5:52 PM, Jun 01, 2017
and last updated 2017-06-01 18:12:24-04

The Macomb County Prosecutor is set to consider charges against a truck driver, accused of being asleep at the wheel when he plowed into 10 vehicles on M-53.

Half a dozen people were injured. With two remained in the hospital at this time.

Months earlier, a similar incident involved less victims, but was still horrific in its own right.

Another semi driver fell asleep, slammed into two vehicles and ran over a young college student.

That young man is telling his story to 7 Action News.  He is hoping his story will get sleepy truckers to wake up - figuratively and literally.

Ian Seaman, a 21-year-old from Clinton Township, was heading home from Wayne State University early one morning this past January.

He ran out of gas on I-75. So he pulled over to the shoulder - a friend meeting him from behind to help.

The two were outside their cars, when the friend likely saved his life from an out of control tractor-trailer, riding the shoulder.

Ian tried to dive out of the way. But didn’t make it.

He is suing the driver and the trucking company, because insurance won’t cover the medical and emotional toll this has taken on him.

Attorney Barry Goodman says the suit is intended to also be a wakeup call for trucking companies that force drivers to push their limits.

Just last week another trucker slammed into 10 vehicles in Macomb County. The driver is also said by investigators to have fallen asleep at the wheel.

Six people were taken to the hospital. Their lasting injuries are not yet known.

You rarely meet survivors like Ian. He is counting his blessings that his accident wasn’t worse. 

The driver of the semi that hit Ian is from Ohio. We were unable to reach the out of state company that owns the truck involved.