Brought to you by WBIW News and Network Indiana
Last updated on Monday, December 1, 2014
(GREENE CO.) - A highway was closed for hours early Thanksgiving morning with emergency personnel from numerous agencies on the scene of a crash caused by a driver who fell asleep at the wheel and slammed into a utility pole, downing electrical lines and knocking out power.
The driver was not injured.
The accident occurred at 3:03 a.m. Thursday at the intersection of State Road 54 and 59.
26-year-old Joshua Marlow of Sandborn was northbound in a 1997 Ford Ranger when he fell asleep and traveled straight into a median area then collided head-on with a utility pole owned by REMC.
The downed lines were live for approximately one hour while waiting for REMC personnel to arrive on the scene.
During this time, emergency responders could not make physical contact with Marlow. The deputy explained that when live electrical lines are down, for the safety of the responders and everyone else involved on the scene, they are unable to make contact until the utility company advises them the area is safe.
The crash and downed lines caused the intersection to be closed from the time of the crash until 8 a.m. Thursday when the pole was replaced, lines fixed and power restored in the area.
50-year-old Kevin Kepley of New Albany was operating a 2012 Peterbilt tractor-trailer and was headed eastbound on SR 54 when the top of his cab hit the downed or sagging power lines. Kepley was not injured in the incident.
In addition to Deputy Brown, GCSD Deputy Davis Aerne assisted on the scene along with Jasonville Police Officer Andrew Duguay, Linton Police Officers Logan Hobbs, Tom Jerrels and Det. Sgt. Josh Goodman, the Greene County Ambulance Service, the Linton Fire Department, and crews from REMC.
1340 AM WBIW welcomes comments and suggestions by calling 812.277.1340 during normal business hours or by email at comments@wbiw.com
© Ad-Venture Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved.