Power and traffic were disrupted in Wellington for several hours Sunday after a rental truck driven by a 68-year old Idaho man knocked down a power pole near 1285 East Main Street.
SR-6, the main traffic artery to and from Southeastern Utah, was closed because the power line was hanging close to the roadway, and the highway remained closed for six hours while Rocky Mountain Power crews replaced the power pole.
Heavy weekend traffic was detoured around the scene by way of Ridge Road.
Medical cause suspected
The Utah Highway Patrol said the incident happened at about 1:30 p.m. when the rental truck veered off the road, striking the power pole and crashing through a fence. Troopers suspect a medical condition led to the accident.
Rocky Mountain Power spokesman Paul Murphy said electrical service was interrupted for 473 customers because of the accident. Power was restored at about 7:30 p.m.
Westbound traffic was routed on to Ridge Road at the junction with SR-6, and eastbound traffic was detoured to Ridge Road by way of 100 East in Wellington. Officers directed traffic for several hours before detour signs were set up.