Police said that a woman fell asleep at the wheel and hit a concrete cover of a sewer on Hammond Road near Chapanoke Road.
The accident caused the cap to crack causing a strong smell in that area.
Raleigh police said that the driver had minor injuries due to airbag deployment, but is expected to be okay.
Public works are expected to work on the cap line in the following week.
Residents nearby were not required to evacuate.