IRA - A Cato teenager was seriously injured Monday evening when her car hit a tree.

According to the New York State Police, Tonya Klus, 18, was driving north on state Route 34 when her 2000 Chevrolet Prism crossed into the southbound lane and drove off the west shoulder. After entering a ditch, the vehicle struck a tree on the front-left side. It took Cato and Ira firefighters, who responded to the scene, an hour to free Klus from the vehicle using the jaws of life, police said.

Klus sustained injuries to her head and legs and was flown via Mercy Flight helicopter to Upstate Medical Center University Hospital, in Syracuse, according to state police. She was in stable condition Monday night, officials said.

No other individuals or vehicles were involved in the accident.

Officials said that Klus was conscious and able to talk with emergency workers during at least some of the rescue efforts. She was wearing her seat belt and the air bag had deployed, police said.

According to state police, it is possible that Klus fell asleep while driving, as there were no skid marks at the scene that would indicate an attempt to stop, and family members told officials she had not slept much for an extended period of time because of work.

She was heading home after running errands in Auburn, police said.