The driver of this car that sheared off a utility pole on Route 173 in Slippery Rock Township Wednesday morning, was injured.

SLIPPERY ROCK TWP — A man was injured early Wednesday morning when the car he was driving slammed into and sheared off a utility pole along Route 173.

State police are investigating but an accident report was not immediately available.

Emergency crews said the man, believed to be in his late-20s or early-30s, lost control of his car about 2 a.m. after possibly falling asleep. The vehicle crossed over the opposing lane, went off the road and hitting the pole.

The man was able to get himself out of the car before Slippery Rock volunteer firefighters and Slippery Rock EMS arrived. He was later taken to Grove City Medical Center with facial injuries not considered serious.,