75-year-old man taken to hospital after crashing into power pole

WASHINGTON CITY — A 75-year-old man was transported to the hospital Thursday after crashing his SUV into a Washington City power pole.

A 75-year-old man was transported to the hospital after crashing his SUV into a Washington City power pole near 1795 W. Washington Dam Road, Washington City, Utah, Sept. 8, 2016 | Photo by Kimberly Scott, St. George News
A 75-year-old man was transported to the hospital after crashing his SUV into a Washington City power pole near 1795 W. Washington Dam Road, Washington City, Utah, Sept. 8, 2016 | Photo by Kimberly Scott, St. George News

Police believe the man may have suffered a possible medical condition causing him to lose control of his vehicle and crash, Washington City Police Public Information Officer Ed Kantor said. However, the exact cause is still under investigation.

The man had been driving east on Washington Dam Road at approximately 12:10 p.m. when he left the roadway and smashed into a power pole near 1795 West, police said.

The man was transported to Dixie Regional Medical Center in St. George, Kantor said. No other occupants were in the vehicle at the time of the collision and no other injuries were reported.

A 75-year-old man was transported to the hospital after crashing his SUV into a Washington City power pole near 1795 W. Washington Dam Road, Washington City, Utah, Sept. 8, 2016 | Photo by Kimberly Scott, St. George News
A 75-year-old man was transported to the hospital after crashing his SUV into a Washington City power pole near 1795 W. Washington Dam Road, Washington City, Utah, Sept. 8, 2016 | Photo by Kimberly Scott, St. George News

As a result of the crash, the man’s SUV was rendered inoperable and had to be towed from the scene, and the power pole was completely destroyed.

When a driver crashes into a power pole or utility box, Kantor said the safest thing to do is remain inside your vehicle until you know the power has been shut off and that your vehicle and the ground are not energized.

“The best course of action for your safety and everyone in the car,” he said, “is remain in the vehicle, if possible, until the first responders arrive and evaluate whether it is a live electrical wire.”

Workers from three different power departments – including Dixie Power, Washington City and City of St. George – were on scene to safely replace the power pole.

A portion of Washington Dam Road was closed for approximately an hour while crews tended to the scene.

This report is based on preliminary information provided by emergency responders and may not contain the full scope of findings.

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Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2016, all rights reserved.

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