A national nonprofit sounded the alarm on sleepy driving after three construction workers were hit on Interstate 35 after a driver fell asleep at the wheel Monday. | MORE | OHP: Driver who slammed into construction workers near Tonkawa fell asleep at wheelOklahoma Highway Patrol said Jacob Matuszczak, a 19-year-old construction worker from Wichita, died on the scene as a result of the crash near Tonkawa. Two other workers were injured. Each year, 40,000 people are killed in crashes, according to Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety. In 2021, 3,500 of them were from distracted drivers. "Sadly, these crashes are all far too common," said Peter Kurdock, the general counsel for Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety. The nonprofit works to improve road safety and raise awareness about the dangers of distracted and drowsy driving. "We’re focused on making safer roads, safer vehicles and safer drivers. And we work to prevent the type of crashes like the one that happened in Oklahoma today," Kurdock said. "Construction workers and those working on the side of the road, first responders included, this is their office, and they don’t have those walls and the doors to protect them like many folks that work in an office building." He said many crashes like these can be prevented. "It's entirely preventable, and one of the things that could prevent them is vehicle safety technology that many folks already have in their cars. It's called automatic emergency breaking," Kurdock said. "There's a rule pending through the U.S. Department of Transportation that will require this system in all new cars with pedestrian protection." The advocacy group also conducts yearly studies for each state based on data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. "Unfortunately, Oklahoma has a red ranking. It's in danger. One of the laws it's missing is automated enforcement," Kurdock said. "They have them employed in work zones, construction zones, where workers are on the side of the road, and it makes sure folks slow down to the posted speed limit." >> Download the KOCO 5 AppThe organization also sent a message to Oklahoma drivers. "The message is simple. Do the things that we know will help prevent crashes. Don’t ever get behind the wheel impaired. Put down your phone. Don’t be distracted behind the wheel, and please, please slow down in work zones, and obey the posted speed limit. That will do so much to try and prevent some of these tragedies like we saw today." The Oklahoma Department of Transportation released a statement, saying the contract crew, Wildcat Companies, was working on a bridge when the crash occurred. They said their thoughts are with the families of those impacted. The Kay County District Attorney's Office will decide if charges will be filed against the driver. Top Headlines Crews battle fire at popular Edmond restaurants, prevent flames from spreading to other businesses TIMELINE: Strong front could bring snow to northwestern Oklahoma on Monday Motorcyclist dies in crash that closed I-240 near I-35 for hours Sunday brings severe thunderstorm, tornado warnings across Oklahoma March Madness Day 4 recap