MADERA COUNTY, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) - A woman was airlifted to a hospital Saturday afternoon after falling asleep behind the wheel in Madera County, the California Highway Patrol. CHP says around 3 p.m. they responded to a solo vehicle crash on Road 22 north of Avenue 24, east of Chowchilla. Investigators eventually determined a woman from Madera had fallen asleep behind the wheel before crashing into a tree. Officers say firefighters had to use the jaws of life to free the woman from the wreck; she was airlifted to a local hospital with major injuries. CHP says this incident is a reminder of just how dangerous driving tired can be. Officers say anyone who finds themself sleepy on the road is advised to pull off at the next exit and find a well-lit area to take a 15 to 20-minute nap - or find a place to sleep overnight.