Nobody was hospitalized this afternoon as the driver of a red Chevrolet Silverado reportedly fell asleep at the wheel and knocked over multiple light poles and a small road sign on the Richland Avenue roundabout.
Police say the poor weather conditions earlier in the day did not likely affect the accident.
“Apparently, he fell asleep and drove right off the road and took out two solar light poles…and a road sign,” said Athens Police Officer Krishea Osborne, who was at the scene.
Traffic was halted on one side of State Route 682 for around 20 minutes this afternoon and began to operate on one lane at 3:29 p.m.
“We have to get the truck towed out and the street department will be removing the pole from the road,” said Osborne.
Electricity has been shut off to the location due to the damage to the poles, Osborne said.
Damage to the driver’s truck included front-end and rear axle damage. Police did not speculate the cost to repair the truck, nor did they release the identity of the driver at the time of this report.
Osborne estimated the damage would cost $10,000 to the city.
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