A Knightstown man escaped serious injury Sunday afternoon when he rolled his vehicle near his residence at 9619 North Rushville Road shortly before 4 p.m.

The driver, identified as Gregory J. Sabol, 53, was within a quarter mile of his home when he apparently fell asleep at the wheel of his 1999 Buick Century.

An unidentified passerby came upon the accident a short time later and called 911 from a cell phone reporting that the driver was trapped inside his vehicle. The call resulted in law enforcement, medical and fire personnel from Raleigh being dispatched to the scene.

First responders were able to assist the driver from his vehicle prior to law enforcement’s arrival at the scene.

According to investigating officer Rush County deputy Randy Chandler, Sabol was southbound on the county road when he fell asleep and left the west side of the road and entered a side ditch, causing the driver to wake up.

In his attempt to return to the road he apparently overcorrected and crossed the centerline and again left the road on the east side.

The Buick then struck a steep embankment with the force of the impact causing the vehicle to spin and roll. The vehicle came to rest with the driver’s side down, pinning the driver inside the vehicle.

One freed from his car Sabol was treated by Raleigh medical personnel. He refused additional treatment.

The driver told investigators that he was properly restrained at the time of the accident.

“I was wearing my seatbelt at the time of the accident but I was very tired. I went to work early this morning about 4 a.m. and generally when I get home I fall asleep immediately,” Sabol said.

Frank Denzler can be contacted at (765) 932-2222 ext. 106 or via e-mail at frank.denzler@rushvillerepublican.com. To add a comment to this story visit our Web site at www.rushvillerepublican.com.