BUCKHANNON, W.Va. –An oversized log truck created havoc for motorists Thursday afternoon in Upshur County.
Upshur County Sheriff Mike Coffman said the driver of the log truck was travelling on Route 20 north near Buckhannon Thursday afternoon. The top of the truck’s crane clipped an overhead powerline, and brought down the lines on Route 20. He clipped a second line which closed Morton Avenue in Buckhannon. According to the sheriff, the driver, whose name was not released, then turned east on Corridor H and clipped another power line bringing it down as well. This line resulted in the shutdown of Corridor H in both directions for hours through the afternoon.
Coffman said power crews had to reset poles and should have the damage fixed by 4:30 p.m. Detours were established, but the flow of traffic was snarled by the volume of vehicles trying to get through the Buckhannon area.
Members of the Buckhannon Police Department, Buckhannon Fire Department and other volunteer fire departments along with the West Virginia State Police responded to help with traffic control.
The driver was finally pulled over on Corridor H headed toward Elkins. Coffman said the Public Service Commission was on hand and issued numerous driving citations including an order which put the driver out of service. The truck, which was fully loaded, was towed. The truck is owned by a Kentucky company. The citations included lack of escort vehicle as well as violations of height and weight restrictions. No criminal charges were filed.
Although it created a traffic nightmare, nobody was injured in the mishap.