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Last updated on Monday, December 28, 2015
(PAOLI) - A Paoli City Utilities lineman was critically injured on Christmas eve after being struck by a vehicle.
According to an Indiana State Police report, 45-year-old William Longest of Paoli was working with a co-worker along the north side of U.S. 150, east of Willow Creek Drive just before 6 a.m. Police say their service truck was parked partially in the westbound lane with its caution lights activated.
While the other member of Longest's crew was in the service bucket elevating towards the pole, Longest was on the ground at the rear of the truck, operating a spot light.
As the utility crew was preparing to work, 73-year-old James C. Risk, Jr. of Salem was traveling westbound on US 150 in a 2004 Jeep Wrangler and failed to see the utility service truck.
Police say Risk swerved into the eastbound lane striking Longest with the side of his Jeep. The vehicle then ran over the outrigger stabilizer extended from the utility truck, flattening both passenger side tires of the Jeep.
The impact pushed Longest over the outrigger, throwing him to the ground.
After the impact the Jeep crashed into a ditch approximately 120 feet west of the truck.
Longest was transported to IU Health of Paoli, where he was flown by helicopter to the University of Louisville Hospital. He is currently listed in stable condition, with the full extent of his injuries unknown.
U.S. 150 was closed for approximately five hours while the crash was investigated.
The crash remains under investigation.
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