Trailered Excavator Damages Power Pole in Nebraska

Source: Scottsbluff Star-Herald (TNS)

Scottsbluff Police cited a 61-year-old Scottsbluff man in a crash that resulted in damage to a utility pole Saturday, Sept. 6.

According to information released by Sgt. Phil Eckerberg, police responded at about 7:05 a.m. to the area of Terry Boulevard and Stable Club Road in Terrytown to investigate a traffic crash.

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Upon arrival, officers discovered that the driver of a black 1986 Freightliner dump truck, pulling a yellow 1982 flatbed trailer loaded with a John Deere excavator, had been traveling eastbound on Stable Club Road approaching Terry Boulevard. Just after passing South Street, the excavator arm snagged an Allo Internet utility line, ripping it loose from its connection to the utility pole.

The incident triggered a chain reaction, causing a Spectrum cable TV line to be pulled down, followed by a Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD) power line. As a result, a power pole was broken and multiple utility lines were brought down across Stable Club Road, Woodley Park Road and several nearby residences.

Police cited the driver of the dump truck, Manuel Barraza, of Scottsbluff, on a charge of expired license plates. Additional charges may be pending based on the outcome of the investigation, Eckerberg said.

Stable Club Road remained closed until approximately 12:11 p.m. while crews worked to restore power, and clear the scene.

As a result of the traffic disruption pattern disruption from the first crash, Eckerberg said, a secondary crash occurred on Woodley Park Road. No injuries were reported from either crash.

The Scottsbluff Police Department was assisted by the Gering Police Department, Regional West Ambulance Services, Scottsbluff Rural Fire Department, the City of Terrytown Utilities, Nebraska Public Power District, Charter Spectrum Communications and Allo Internet.

Anyone who may have video footage of the incident is asked to contact Eckerberg, 308-632-7176.