UPDATE: PSE&G Restores Power

[UPDATED 11:15 p.m. Tuesday]
PSE&G crews have restored power to approximately 121 homeowners and businesses after a car accident early Tuesday evening damaged a light pole and snarled traffic in the area.

PSE&G spokesman Duane Johnson said power was restored by 7:18 p.m. Tuesday, but crews were still at the Bloomfield Avenue site shoring up the pole.

Around 9 p.m. Verona police were directing traffic at the scene and PSE&G workers were still on the scene.

Crews will return today to re-assess the situation, Johnson said, and make any necessary repairs on the pole.

The damage was caused when a car heading east on Bloomfield Avenue struck the light pole shortly after 6 p.m. Tuesday, knocking out power to a row of stores and homes.

Verona police said the male driver, whose identity was not immediately known, struck the light pole before nicking a fire hydrant and smashing into the telephone pole near the Annin Flag Company.

The man was able to get out of his car on his own and could be seen sitting next to his car, which appeared to be a sedan, police said.

An ambulance also responded, though it was not clear if the man was injured. There were no other passengers in the car.

Once the crash occurred, people from nearby businesses came outside to see what happened and also complained that their power had gone out. Police began to cordon off the scene and eastbound traffic became congested, though at least one full lane on Bloomfield Avenue remained open.

The impact of the crash broke the pole, which bent toward the ground, though the wires were not immediately touching the ground. It appeared to also knock out power to the traffic light at Prospect and Bloomfield avenues.

This is a breaking news story, it will be updated as more information becomes available.