Paramedics from Sierra Nevada Ambulance hold up Robert Chester while Nevada County Consolidated personnel try to extract him. (Photo by John Hart)

A man was injured on Highway 49 south of Grass Valley Friday when a driver fell asleep and broadsided his vehicle, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Robert Chester of Grass Valley was in his Nissan pickup truck at a stop sign at the corner of Cherry Creek Road and Highway 49 when Elaine Zamora, traveling north on 49 toward Grass Valley, dozed off and hit him, according to CHP.

The 911 call came at 6:10 a.m., according to the CHP.

Adam Borchers, who was traveling right behind Zamora, told police he saw the woman's white Mustang drift a little before going straight toward the pickup truck.

Traffic was held up for 35 minutes in both directions as paramedics and firefighters tried to get Chester, 31, who was in severe pain, out of his vehicle.

Chester's wife, Krissy, who was traveling in a separate car behind him, tried to comfort him as he screamed in pain.

Chester, who suffered a severe leg injury, was flown to Sutter Roseville Medical Center, according to CHP. He was in fair condition, a hospital spokeswoman said Friday at 4 p.m.

Zamora of Sacramento and her passenger, Kenneth Taunton, were not injured, the CHP reported.

The accident is still under investigation, CHP spokesman Troy Marks said.

The accident scene was cleared at 7:10 a.m.

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