Buffalo County Sheriff's Office reports a Medford, Wisconsin man escaped injury Wednesday afternoon when his car went off the road and was submerged underwater in the backwaters of the Mississippi River.
              
22-year old Blaine Van Stevens was northbound on Highway 25 when he fell asleep, crossed the centerline and and went over an embankment on the southside of the highway. Stevens vehicle was submerged in 6 feet of water but he crawled out of the window and swam to the embankment and flagged down a motorist for help.

The accident was reported at 2:38 p.m. Wednedsay and occurred one mile east of Wabasha in Nelson Township.  

Traffic on Highway 25 was restricted to one lane for about an hour, due to the accident and recovery of the vehicle.

Authorities say traffic citations will be issued.