A Whitefield woman suffered leg injuries after the car she was driving crossed the centerline Thursday on Route 17 in Whitefield and struck a car occupied by a woman and two young children head-on.

Sharon Croxford, 68, apparently fell asleep at the wheel before crossing the centerline and striking the other vehicle, which was coming in the opposite direction, around 5 p.m., according to state police Trooper Nick Gleeson. She was taken by ambulance to MaineGeneral Medical Center in Augusta with leg injuries.

The other car’s driver, Jennifer Millard, 31, of Warren, also was taken to the hospital by ambulance, as were two young children in her car; but Gleeson said the children were not hurt and the occupants of the vehicle were taken to the hospital as a precaution.

Route 17 was shut down briefly because of the crash, although traffic was rerouted soon around the accident scene and through a parking lot. The crash occurred near the Whitefield-Chelsea town line.

Croxford, who was alone in her car, was charged with failure to maintain control of a motor vehicle and operating after suspension, according to Gleeson.

Delta Ambulance, Augusta firefighters, Whitefield firefighters and the Lincoln County Sherrif’s Office went to the scene, in addition to state police.

Croxford was trapped in her vehicle and had to be cut out of it, Gleeson said.