Diabetes link in bizarre truck rampage

EDMONTON, Alberta, April 2 (UPI) -- A truck driver who went on a wrong-way rampage before dying in a fiery crash in Edmonton, Alberta, was an insulin-dependent diabetic, relatives told police.

Police investigating Monday afternoon's 20-minute, high-speed, wrong-way trek by 25-year-old Mark Santos in a truck loaded with cardboard were told of his medical condition Tuesday, the Globe and Mail reported.

Jordan Santos, the driver's brother told the newspaper he had witnessed his brother go into hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, and Santos would be confused and sleepy.

A witness who veered to avoid being hit head-on told reporters Monday the driver looked "looked angry, he looked mad, he looked zoned out," the report said.

Autopsy results were expected later this week, police said.

Around 1:15 p.m. Monday, drivers on the Yellowhead Trail highway reported an eastbound truck traveling at 60 mph was crossing the median into westbound lanes and back again. Several cars were clipped and numerous others were forced into the ditch but no one other than the truck driver was seriously injured.

The truck hit a concrete guard rail on an elevated exit ramp, skidded along it and fell 30 feet onto railroad tracks and then exploded.