PORT ANGELES — A 39-year-old Port Angeles man fell asleep while driving Saturday and crashed his van into a fence and restaurant after crossing at least two lanes of U.S. Highway 101, authorities said.
The driver, Mike Stensland, coasted into a fence outside Sam’s Chinese Restaurant & Teriyaki east of Port Angeles at about 5 p.m., then — apparently without knowing it — reversed slowly into the restaurant 60 feet away, said Clallam County Sheriff’s Deputy Josh Ley.
Stensland was heading eastbound on the highway when he fell asleep, Ley said; his van didn’t hit any other vehicles and no one was injured.
Ley said no alcohol or drugs were involved. He said that Stensland does not have a medical condition or take medication that could have caused him to fall asleep.
He simply had a long day at work, the deputy said.
“He’s very fortunate that he didn’t hit another motorist or strike anybody in the parking lot,” Ley said.
Stensland didn’t have his foot on the accelerator when he hit the fence, the deputy said, adding that it appears he was still asleep when he hit the restaurant on the north side of the highway.
It was unclear how he managed to put the van into reverse.
“He was still kind of out when witnesses came up and checked on him,” Ley said.
The van drove about 2 feet into the restaurant at 2933 E. U.S. Highway 101, he said.
“This was a big surprise,” said manager Dang Cen. “It was unbelievable.”
Stensland was not cited for a traffic violation, Ley said.
The driver helped clean up the scene, the deputy said.
Cen said the restaurant will remain open.
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Reporter Tom Callis can be reached at 360-417-3532 or at tom.callis@peninsuladailynews.com.
