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Car drives up pole, hits transformer, causes fire

Urbana firefighters, attempting to rescue the driver of an overturned car that struck a utility pole, look up at the arcing wires that are exploding above them Wednesday, Oct. 28 along Ohio 68 in Champaign County. Part of the pole broke when the car struck it causing the wires to arc and catch fire.

Bill Lackey/Bill Lackey Urbana firefighters, attempting to rescue the driver of an overturned car that struck a utility pole, look up at the arcing wires that are exploding above them Wednesday, Oct. 28 along Ohio 68 in Champaign County. Part of the pole broke when the car struck it causing the wires to arc and catch fire.

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Photos: Car hits transformer

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By Valerie Lough, Staff Report Updated 8:59 AM Thursday, October 29, 2009

URBANA TWP. — A motorist was flown to a Dayton hospital after he drove his car up a set of guy wires and hit the top of a utility pole Wednesday, Oct. 28.

The accident happened on U.S. 68, just south of Dallas Road shortly after noon Wednesday.

James Porter, 59, of 142 Orchard Drive, Urbana, was taken by CareFlight to Miami Valley Hospital. He was listed in fair condition Thursday morning.

The northbound car veered off the side of the highway at a curve south of Dallas Road, said Trooper Ty Skaggs, Ohio Highway Patrol, Marysville Post.

The Porters’s vehicle drove up a set of guy wires and struck the top of a utility pole before it overturned and fell on its top, he said.

“He went right up the pole, just like a roller coaster,” said witness Sonny Haerr, of Springfield.

The transformer at the top of the pole exploded and burned during the rescue.

The nature of the accident is unusual, said Skaggs.

“I’ve never seen a vehicle travel all the way up the guy wires and (strike) the utility pole at the very top end of it,” he said.

Alcohol likely played a factor in the crash, and there is an “indication” that the driver may have fallen asleep or unconscious at the wheel, Skaggs said.

At least 170 customers in the surrounding area were without power for several hours, said Dayton Power and Light spokesperson Emily Gray.

Investigators don’t know if the driver was wearing a seat belt.

There were no passengers and no other injuries were reported.

Charges may be filed pending further investigation.

Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0360 or vlough@coxohio.com.

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God loves this driver more than we do, and it hurts His heart when His children are held prisioner by anything...alchol, drugs, sex, . this is not funny and I am sure God is not laughing.

rita
7:29 AM, 10/30/2009

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i worked with larry and love him dearly. i will keep him in my prayers, not just for physical healing, but from the alcohol also. it is a terrible thing to be held by. he (Larry) is a very precious human, and i am thankful to know himl

rita
7:24 AM, 10/30/2009

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The man that was involved in this accident is my father. To clear up any speculation, yes we assume he was drunk at 10am on a Wednesday morning, and yes he is an alcoholic. This issue is not fun for my family, and we are looking at getting him some serious treatment to help him get his life back so he's around to see his grandchildren grow up. If you ever have to ask yourself if you're good enough to drive, don't do it. He should never have been driving, but alcoholism is a disease.

Marshall
11:01 PM, 10/29/2009

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Thank you, Varidon, for some words of wisdom and compassion. I know the driver and he does, in fact, have serious health conditions. Suspicion of alcohol is not the same as proof. It's good to know there are still people who don't have to get their kicks from making fun of other people's misery.

Think
6:45 PM, 10/29/2009

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The weight of the vehicle would likely cause the tires to 'wrap' the down guy hence, keeping the car on the lines for the short duration of the trip up.
For those that sit and talk about how drunk the driver must have been, until some confirmed information stating that is issued, you really shouldn't speculate. The driver may very well of had a slight heart attack or stroke causing the loss of control as well. People need to remember that, at least for now, we are innocent till proven guilty.

Varidon
5:56 PM, 10/29/2009

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