A huge collision on Monday morning left hundreds of Lancaster County households without electricity.
At 9:14 a.m., dispatchers reported a crash on Old Philadelphia Pike/Route 340 at Chateau Hill in East Lampeter Township.
There were no injuries, according to dispatch.
Witnesses tell WGAL News 8 that a black SUV collided with a post and overturned.
The downed pole resulted in hanging wires. Witnesses reported that a tractor-trailer going through got trapped in the wires, knocking down a second pole.
Witnesses at the scene reported that after driving down the slope, the SUV driver got out and began running.
According to witnesses, that’s when police began pursuing the motorist. The driver was identified as Shane McCracken, 42.
According to the charging paperwork, McCracken defied orders to stop running. He was eventually arrested in the Cedar Acres development.
According to investigators, McCracken was tested by a drug identification expert, who determined that he was most likely under the influence of a restricted substance.
According to the charging paperwork, McCracken was driving a stolen vehicle.
According to PennDOT records, McCracken’s driving privileges were suspended in 2008 and have yet to be restored, police said.
McCracken is facing accusations for receiving stolen items, DUI, and careless driving. The road is littered with debris and downed cables from the sheared-off poles.
The Old Philadelphia Pike/Route 340 is closed between Chateau Hill and Red Leaf Lane, according to dispatch.
According to crews on the scene, the closure is likely to last into the evening commute while repairs are completed.
According to PPL, the crash left more than 700 people without power.
As of noon, PPL reported that electricity had been restored to nearly all residents in the region. According to dispatchers, traffic lights are out on Old Philadelphia Pike/Route 340 at the Bridgeport intersection, about a mile from the crash site.
Drivers are encouraged to remain aware and cautious in the area. It is uncertain when the lights will be restored.