Driver Dozes Off, Takes Out Summerhill Median

It could have been a whole lot worse.

A driver who fell asleep behind the wheel crashed his 2011 Toyota Sienna Minivan into the Summerhill Drive median Thursday night, causing damage to the property.

But the driver, Sebastian Lieu, 36, of Lake Elsinore, managed to escape injury.

The solo-vehicle crash occurred around 8:30 p.m. as Lieu was heading eastbound on Summerhill Drive near Canyon Ridge Drive in Lake Elsinore.

Lieu said he had been sipping a Rockstar energy drink during his commute to stay awake, but the caffeine-laced beverage wasn't enough to keep him from dozing.

"I should have pulled over," Lieu said.

Instead, he drifted off, then crashed into the median, taking out several planter boxes and trees before coming to a stop.

The accident temporarily forced the closure of Summerhill Drive as crews worked to clear the wreckage.

Lieu declined medical treatment at the scene; no one was in the vehicle with him.

Lake Elsinore City Works arrived on the scene after the accident to inspect the median damage. --Daniel Lane contributed to this report