Car Slams Into Utility Pole In Penn Hills
PENN HILLS (KDKA) -- Several people were without power Thursday morning in Penn Hills after a car slammed into a utility pole overnight and then caught fire.
The crash happened around 4 a.m. along Shannon Road.
The car reportedly lost control and hit a utility pole head on. The pole was sheared and landed in the middle of the roadway, and the car caught fire after the impact.
Neighbors woke up to bangs and pops, and when they came out to inspect, they couldn't believe what they saw and feared someone was still inside.
"The power lines were all over the vehicle, so we didn't want to get to close," said Tom Suchevich, a neighbor. "Our other neighbor, he crept up just to see if there was anyone inside, and once it was clear we all just stepped back."
According to Penn Hills police, the driver may have been speeding when the crash happened.
Crews closed Shannon Road between Seton Drive and 2nd Street. The road was expected to be closed for most of the day.
Duquesne Light crews were called to the scene to make repairs. They had to rip what was left of the sheared pole out of the ground.
Officials say about 60 customers were left without power, but officials said everyone should be back up and running this afternoon.
"It appears that there's no skid marks and the telephone pole stopped his forward momentum," said Sgt Patrick Manning, of the Penn Hills Police Department. "A quick response by the volunteer firefighters prevented any further damage to the neighborhood. Duquesne Light is trying to isolate the area, but this block of Shannon Road will be out of power for some time."
The driver was not hurt in the crash, but the inside of the car was left completely charred.
Penn Hills police say he is facing charges of reckless driving and driving with a suspended license.
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