Tractor Trailer Crashes Into Utility Pole, Shuts Down Amtrak Train Traffic, Flees Scene: Wallingford Police

WALLINGFORD, CT — A 22-year-old driver of a tractor trailer is accused of crashing into a utility pole that snapped in half, causing downed power lines that temporarily shut down Amtrak train traffic and thru traffic on Toelles Road, and then fleeing the scene, according to police.

At about 7:35 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 4, a Wallingford Police officer, who was parked in the area of South Colony Road, received a drive-up report of wires down on Toelles Road, according to Lt. Richard Homestead.

“The officer responded to this location and discovered that a telephone pole located on the northwest corner of the intersection of Toelles Road and South Colony Road was severed about half way up,” Homestead said in a press release. “This pole supported electric wires that crossed the train tracks. The traffic lights at this intersection as well as those at the I-91 exit ramp with South Colony Road were completely out.”

Witnesses told police that a tractor trailer was traveling south on South Colony Road and struck the telephone pole as it was turning right (west) onto Toelles Road. It was further reported that the driver exited the vehicle, viewed the damage and then drove off west on Toelles Road, according to Homestead.

As a result of the impact, several electrical wires were severed and fell onto a car that was traveling south on South Colony Road behind the tractor trailer, according to Homestead.

Homestead said the vehicle sustained minor damage and no one inside was injured.

“As officers were conducting the investigation a witness identified the offending tractor trailer that was now heading east on Toelles Road,” Homestead said. “Officers stopped this vehicle and found fresh damage to the trailer that was consistent with that on the telephone pole.”

The driver and sole occupant of the vehicle was identified as Travis Fahey, 22, of Wallingford.

Fahey was arrested on charges of evading responsibility and failure to drive in proper lane. He was released on a $1,000 bond and issued a court date of Jan. 17 at Meriden Superior Court.

“As a result of this collision, Amtrak held all train traffic until midnight and Toelles Road was shut down for thru traffic,” Homestead said. “Both of these closures were due to the affected electrical wires that were crossing the tracks and so that the severed utility pole, which was also close to the tracks could be replaced.”

The involved tractor trailer is owned by CJB Transport LLC Yalesville, CT, according to Homestead.

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