A late-night crash near Fred’s Pizza Express turned 11th Street into a danger zone when a Chevy slammed into a power pole just before 2 a.m., knocking out traffic lights and sending the driver to the hospital.
Witnesses say the driver tried to flee the scene, but officers arrived quickly to find three utility poles down and the driver complaining of neck pain. AEP was immediately notified to deal with the mess, including a live power line lying in the roadway.
The crash knocked out traffic lights at key intersections — including Clay & 11th and Clay & Robinson — and left the stretch from Clay Street to Grandview completely dark. The city’s service department scrambled to set up temporary stop signs and manage the chaos.
By 2:30 a.m., city crews had confirmed two of the downed poles belonged to them and were still active. A tow truck was called in, and officials warned of possible brake fluid or antifreeze in the street — adding slippery roads to the growing list of problems.
The driver was transported to SOMC for treatment, and police issued a citation for failure to control. Officers contacted the vehicle’s registered owner, who confirmed the injured man was his son, and helped manage traffic while repairs began.
The scene wasn’t fully secured until after 3 a.m., with service crews making multiple trips back to address urgent power hazards.