ARCANUM — A driver narrowly escaped injury Thursday morning after deputies say he fell asleep just moments before hitting a utility pole head-on.

At approximately 3 a.m., emergency personnel from Arcanum Fire and Rescue along with deputies from the Darke County Sheriff’s Department were called to the area of State Route 49 and Pitsburg-Laura Road in regards to a single-vehicle accident with possible injuries.

According to the Darke County Sheriff’s Department, a preliminary investigation into the accident has revealed that a white Ford F250 was traveling southbound on State Route 49 when the driver fell asleep causing the vehicle to go left of center and continue off the left side of the roadway.

The Ford truck came to rest in a ditch at the intersection of State Route 49 and Pitsburg-Laura Road after striking a utility pole head-on.

The male driver, who was also the sole occupant of the vehicle, was treated on the scene by Arcanum Rescue for minor injuries sustained in the accident before refusing any further treatment and transport to a medical facility.

Deputies from the Darke County Sheriff’s Department on the scene credit the use of seatbelts in the prevention of any major injuries in the crash.

The accident will remain under investigation by the Darke County Sheriff’s Department.