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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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