A flatbed truck crashed into a power pole at about 8:45 a.m. Thursday in the 9600 block of South 240th Street on the East Hill in Kent.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
The force of the crash almost completely tore the pole in half, according to a Kent Fire Department media release.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
The Kent Police and Fire Departments are working with Puget Sound Energy to determine how to safely move the large truck.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
The truck left the westbound lanes of traffic and struck a large diameter power pole on the right shoulder of the road. Fortunately, no one was on the sidewalk at the time. East Hill Elementary school is located only three blocks away along South 240th Street, also known as James Street.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
When firefighters arrived, they found the driver sitting on a grassy area next to the truck. He suffered non-life threatening injuries and was treated before being transported to a local hospital. It is unknown whether he also experienced some type of medical problem which might have been a contributing factor to the crash.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
At about 10:20 a.m. Wednesday, the right-hand lane of westbound South 240th Street is closed while the truck is removed and the power pole is replaced. There have been no reports of power outages in the area and a signal light two blocks away is still functioning. That situation may change\u00a0 when PSE replaces the power pole.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n