We had a similar accident several years ago. A local deputy sheriff was in the middle of a traffic stop on the side of the Northway (I-87) at around 2am when this 18 wheeler came upon him. The driver had been on the road most of the night and was falling asleep and mistook the lights of the patrol car as tail lights and slammed in to the car, killing the deputy instantly, leaving a widow and 2 young children.