Driver Sent to Hospital Following Verizon Truck Crash in Tiverton

The driver of a Verizon service truck went to the hospital with "severe" injuries Thursday afternoon after he struck a telephone pole near 529 Main Road in Tiverton.

Chief Robert Lloyd said a report of an accident came in a few minutes before 3 p.m. A man driving a Verizon truck reportedly struck a telephone pole in front of that location, Lloyd said, and struck the base of a sign in front of . Truck compartments, paperwork and other debris scattered the scene.

Lloyd said the man was able to remove himself from the vehicle prior to fire and rescue arriving. He was assessed and transported to the trauma center at Rhode Island Hospital due to the severity of his injuries.

Lloyd said th scene was cleaned up by 4:15 p.m. and are conducting an investigation of the accident. WJAR reports the driver may have had a medical problem or fell asleep at the wheel. His name was not released.

Lloyd added that the building inspector examined the condition of the sign and determined its concrete base is secure and did not pose a hazard.