LAKEPORT, Calif. – A Tuesday afternoon crash involving a pickup and a power pole has led to a temporary road closure on 11th Street due to the pole needing to be replaced.
Lt. Jason Ferguson of the Lakeport Police Department said officers and Lakeport Fire Protection District personnel were dispatched to the area of 11th and Pool streets at approximately 1:37 p.m. on the report of a single vehicle crash with a power pole.
He said when the officers arrived on scene they immediately closed 11th Street from North Street to the entrance of Round Table Pizza to divert traffic as Pacific Gas and Electric crews worked on the damaged pole.
Officers contacted James Knox, 76, of Lakeport and learned that he was driving his Toyota Tacoma truck eastbound on 11th Street when he fell asleep, causing the pickup to drift onto Pool Street and strike the power pole, Ferguson reported.
Ferguson said Knox was not injured in the crash.
The wreck caused severe damage to the power pole, which required additional PG&E personnel and equipment, Ferguson said.
Due to the extent of the damage, PG&E will be working through the night to repair the power pole, he said.
PG&E was reporting only three customers being affected initially by the crash.
Road closures on 11th Street between North Street and the entrance to Round Table Pizza are expected to be in effect until midnight, Ferguson said.
Motorists are encouraged to use alternative routes as workers will be on scene, according to police.
For further information contact the Lakeport Police Department, 707-264-5491.