UPDATE: Ward Burton fell asleep at the wheel of his 2004 Chevrolet Suburban on U.S. 29 on Monday morning, causing him to strike a guard rail and totaling the $60,000 vehicle, according to North Carolina State Trooper S.M. Mangum. Burton told Mangum that his baby was up four or five times through the night, causing fatigue to the NASCAR Nextel Cup driver. Burton’s wife picked him up at the scene and took him for treatment for a bump on the head. Mangum did not know where Burton was being treated. Neither alcohol or drugs were a factor in the accident. Mangum estimated he was traveling about 60 miles per hour in a 65 mile-per-hour zone.(Danville Register and Bee)(4-12-2004)
UPDATE 2: Ward Burton is resting at his Virginia home following a Monday morning single-vehicle traffic accident in which he totaled a brand new 60-thousand dollar Chevy Suburban. The driver of the #0-NetZero Monte Carlo fell asleep behind the wheel, hit the end of a guardrail and rolled the SUV. He was heading to the Haas/CNC shop near Charlotte to be fitted for a new seat before a planned test at Kentucky Speedway on Wednesday. Crew Chief Tony Furr said Burton called him and said ÃÂÃÂI wrecked our free car!ÃÂÃÂ Furr isnÃÂÃÂt sure the team will make the test depending on how Burton feels. Furr said Burton told him heÃÂÃÂs okay and that the air bag burned his face slightly and he also has a bump on his head. Burton also told Furr he was going to stop for coffee about 10 minutes before the accident occurred, but didnÃÂÃÂt.(PRN’s Garage Pass Radio Show)(4-13-2004)