New Hartford (WSYR-TV) - A truck pulled down power wires and a utility pole Tuesday afternoon, causing outages for traffic signals at several intersections along Route 5 and Commercial Drive in New Hartford.
New Hartford Police say a hydraulic crane on a log truck came into contact with power lines around 2:55 p.m. The truck pulled the power lines down and snapped a utility pole in half.
David Uebele, 32, of Cold Brook, had used the crane on the truck to lift logs onto the truck bed in the Yahnundasis Golf Club parking lot, and then elevated it to tie down the load. After securing the load, Uebele drove forward and forgot to lower the crane. It contacted the wires, pulling them down and breaking the pole.
The wires came to rest on top of Uebele's truck, but he was able to exit the truck safely. He was later charged for operating an over-height vehicle and for operating a vehicle with a suspended driver's license.
Police and fire officials manned intersections during the 45 minute power outage that followed.
