UPDATE: Power Restored To 1,000 We Energies Customers After Car Crash
A car that crashed into a utility pole ignited in the 5100 block of Four Mile Road, which knocked out the power. But the power is back on now.
About 1,000 We Energies customers were without power after a car struck a pole in the 5100 block of 4-Mile Road at about 8:42 p.m.
According to authorities, a single-car collision with a utility pole sparked the flames that may also be engulfing a near-by tree. Crews from We Energies had the power restored at about 10 p.m.
David Core, 38, of Racine, was cited for driving too fast for conditions and reckless driving.
A witness told Patch he heard a loud crash and went to see what had happened. The witness, who did not want to be named, said they saw a tree on fire, and Core, who had been driving the car, was out of the vehicle.
Another witness, Margo Tepley, said the tree that had caught fire was out quickly, but the utility pole had been taken out completely.
"The car was launched into corn field," she said. "The driver was going too fast on the curve when he was going east on 4 mile road and I can't tell you how many times that has happened," Tepley said. "The driver had gotten out of the car and was bleeding from the head."
Core was taken by ambulance by the Caledonia Fire Department to a nearby hospital, Tepley said.
4-Mile Road was closed in both directions because the wires were down.
Jennifer Wenzel
9:48 pm on Wednesday, July 4, 2012
Still out of power on 4 Mile Rd. at 9:45. WE Energies website says over 1,000 people affected!
MITCHELL
8:43 am on Thursday, July 5, 2012
This is another reason that all electrical wiring should be underground.