GRASS VALLEY -- A passenger died after a driver fell asleep at the wheel and crashed early Saturday morning near Grass Valley, the California Highway Patrol said.

The crash happened around 2:45 a.m. on Highway 20 near the South Ponderosa overcrossing just west of Grass Valley. 

Officers said a 35-year-old Grass Valley man was driving a 2007 Acura TL with a 35-year-old woman in the passenger seat. The CHP said they were delivering a DoorDash order when the driver fell asleep. 

The vehicle left the north side of the highway and struck a series of trees. 

The woman died at the scene while the driver was airlifted to the hospital with major injuries.

Both occupants were wearing a seat belt and officers said DUI is not suspected to be a factor in the crash. 

No other vehicles were involved in the crash.