Power Goes Back On In Vernon Center Monday Night After Crash

VERNON, CT — A damaged utility pole in Vernon Center was firmly put back in place Tuesday and power restored Monday night after a pickup truck knocked it over the previous afternoon.

Initially 700 Eversource customers were without power when the truck hit the pole at 1 p.m., Eversource officials said. That number was quickly reduced to about 200 when an Eversource crew first arrived at the scene.

It typically can take up to 12 hours to erect a new pole and fully restore power, Eversource officials said. Some additional residents were without power between 7:30 and 9:15 p.m. because the Eversource crew had to cut power in the area to switch circuits back to normal operation.

The crash took place at 1:30 p.m. on the westbound side of Route 30 between the West Street and Center Road intersections. Police believe the driver, who was in his 70s, had a medical episode while driving.

The man's pickup truck snapped the police at its base and the truck wound up on the lawn of the Vernon Police Department.

Power was knocked out at Center Road School for the last block of classes plus dismissal. Vernon Center Middle School also went dark, which left the hallways dark until the generator could kick in. The Vernon public safety complex also has generators.

Police did not have an update on the driver early Tuesday morning.