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Teen Driver Falls Asleep, Rolls Over Jeep In NW Suburb

CRYSTAL LAKE, Ill. (STMW) - A teen driver told police he fell asleep before crashing a Jeep into a curb and rolling the SUV over twice Wednesday afternoon in northwest suburban Crystal Lake.

The crash happened about 3:50 p.m. on Route 31 north of Route 176, a release from Crystal Lake police said. Police learned a Jeep had rolled over into the roadway after striking a curb.

Crews found the Jeep resting on its passenger side in the southbound lane of traffic in the 4900 block of North Route 31, about a 1/2 mile north of Route 176.

The 16-year-old driver, a Cary resident, said he was not injured and refused transport, the release said.

An investigation revealed the teen was driving the 2004 Jeep Wrangler south on Route 31 when he fell asleep, then crossed over into the northbound lane. The Jeep continued across the north lane and struck the eastern curb and fire hydrant located in the parkway.

The Jeep, according to a witness, rolled over twice, bouncing back into the southbound lane of Route 31  before coming to a rest on its passenger side.

The teen driver was cited with improper lane usage and was released pending a court appearance on July 7 at the McHenry County Courthouse.

Traffic was diverted for southbound vehicles on Route 31 for about 30 minutes while crews investigated the crash and got the Jeep out of the roadway.

© Sun-Times Media Wire Chicago Sun-Times 2011. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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