Entrapped driver avoids serious injury
One woman escaped severe injuries after a utility pole fell on top her pick-up truck as the result of a two-vehicle accident Saturday night.
Marie Robinson was traveling south on Manhattan Road at approximately 9 p.m., when she fell asleep at the wheel. Her pick-up truck crossed the centerline and sideswiped a northbound vehicle driven by Kathi Gibson of Limedale.
Robinson's truck left the roadway and struck a utility pole, causing it to snap in half and land across the top of her vehicle. She crawled out of her truck and to safety. The crash caused Gibson's Pontiac Vibe to spin around before leaving the roadway.
Operation Life transported both women to Putnam County Hospital, where they were treated for non-life-threatening injuries. In addition, Robinson had five puppies in a cage in her truck at the time of the crash and all the puppies survived.
Reelsville Fire Chief John McPherson said the accident caused oil from the transformer to spill and seep into the soil, which created a HazMat situation. Crews worked until about 4 a.m. cleaning up the spill.
Along with Operation Life, the Reelsville Volunteer Fire Department, Putnam County Sheriff's Department and Duke Energy responded to the scene.