NTSB cites dozing driver in 2005 bus wreck

WASHINGTON, Sept. 17 (UPI) -- Federal investigators say the driver of a truck involved in a deadly Wisconsin accident in 2005 fell asleep at the wheel.

The National Transportation Safety Board announced that Michael Kozlowski had not gotten enough sleep during his time off and dozed off seconds before his semi-truck jackknifed and was struck by a bus carrying the Chippewa Falls High School band.

Five people, including in the bus driver, were killed in the wreck near Osso.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel said Wednesday the NTSB ruling came after a trial in which Kozlowski was acquitted of 33 charges. The prosecutors had alleged Kozlowski was too tired to have been behind the wheel; however, the defense argued that the 78-year-old bus driver was at fault because he was not wearing his glasses in low-light conditions.

NTSB Acting Chairman Mark Rosenker said in a statement that Kozlowski's rig and the bus should have both been equipped with technology that detects driver fatigue and avoids collisions.