Nearly 700 lose power after truck hits pole

Almost 700 utility customers in the Hope area lost power after a truck hit a utility pole at State Road 9 and County Road 600 North, just south of Hauser Jr.-Sr. High School.

The accident occurred at 5:45 a.m. Wednesday, when Steven Schuder, 24, of Hope, tried to avoid another vehicle turning onto Hauser Drive, said Matt Tallent, Hope Town marshal.

Schuder, who was driving a box truck, pulled to the side of the road to avoid hitting the other vehicle, then slid into the ditch and hit the pole, Tallent said.

The driver, the only occupant in the truck, was not injured, the marshal said.

Damage to the utility pole required Bartholomew County REMC to disconnect a circuit to make a safe repair, said Marty Lasure, REMC spokeswoman.

REMC’s outage map indicated 438 customers in Haw Creek Township lost power, as well as 236 customers in Clifty Township.

Power was restored shortly after 11 a.m. Wednesday, Lasure said.