KARNS CITY — A Petrolia man was injured early this morning when the pickup truck he was driving slammed into an apartment building on Main Street, state police said.

A woman was sleeping on a couch in the downstairs apartment at the time, but no one in the building was hurt.

"She was only few feet from where it hit," Chief Larry Gifford of the Petrolia Volunteer Fire Department said. "I'd say she was lucky."

The driver, Michael L. Watterson, 49, was not so lucky. He was flown by medical helicopter to a Pittsburgh hospital with moderate injuries.

Police said Watterson about 1 a.m. lost control of his southbound 2003 Toyota Tacoma while rounding a curve. The pickup hit the building at 106 Main St.

The names of the tenants were not available.

A couple and a young child live in the downstairs apartment, Gifford said. A woman lives upstairs. Everyone was home when the pickup ran into the side of the building.

The truck bounced off the building, leaving Watterson injured and dazed. Police said he was not wearing a seat belt.

The truck was badly damaged, including a smashed windshield and broken steering wheel.

Petrolia Ambulance drove Watterson to Karns City High School, where a helicopter flew him to UPMC Presbyterian. His condition was not known this morning.

Gifford recommended the tenants leave the building, which had severe structural damage.