2-part crash closes U.S. 50
A single car crash on U.S. 50 near the Greystone Motel Wednesday led to a toppled electric pole and the closure of the highway.
According to the Highland County Sheriff's Office, Wednesday afternoon, March 24, a single-vehicle crash occurred when a westbound vehicle went off the right side of the roadway, striking a guide-wire and an electric pole.
American Electric Power had de-energized the lines in the area and were repairing the lines as a tow-truck began removing the vehicle from the scene. The HCSO said that as the truck began to pull the vehicle from the crash site, the overhanging power lines dropped a few feet, just as an eastbound semitruck passed underneath, snagging the lines. The truck continued moving, the HCSO said, and the pole and the line snapped, whipping across the roadway and striking three other vehicles, including AEP's bucket truck, which was occupied by a technician repairing the lines.
No serious injuries were reported in either crash, and no citations have been issued.
U.S. 50 was closed at approximately 3:45 p.m. to traffic while the poles and lines were repaired.
"It is not known how long the route will be closed, and motorists are being detoured via Haggerty Road and state Route 124," said Kathleen Fuller, Ohio Department of Transportation District 9 Public Information Officer.
According to AEP, as of 5 p.m., 201 customers were without power in Highland County.