VAN — A Lincoln County man was killed when he apparently fell asleep at the wheel and veered into the path of an oncoming truck yesterday morning near Van.

Boone County Sheriff’s Deputy S.M. Jarrell said 25-year-old Cory Lucas of Ferrellsburg in Lincoln County was killed on impact when his car crossed into the path of a sport utility vehicle.

“There was 1989 Ford Festiva headed west on (State) Route 26 there right in front of Medic Station 60 that crossed over the center line and hit a 2004 (Chevrolet) Trailblazer head-on,” Deputy Jarrell said. “Cory Lucas was not wearing a seatbelt and he died on impact.”

The driver of the Trailblazer was Marlin Harless. He refused medical treatment at the scene. His wife, Virginia Harless, was also in the Trailblazer and suffered only minor injuries. She was checked out at a local hospital and released.

The crash happened around 9:56 a.m. Lucas was pronounced dead at 10:16 a.m.

“It happened right in front of Medic Station 60 and one of the EMTs ran out and was to him within 30 seconds of the accident and he said (Lucas) was already unresponsive,” Deputy Jarrell said. “He was on his way from work. We don’t know for sure, but it looks like he just fell asleep at the wheel. He definitely crossed over the center line. According to the gouge marks on the pavement, he was definitely over on their side.”