Van Slams Into Utility Pole on Post Road; Power Restored [Update]

Update, 2:18 p.m.:

Power has been restored to all Darien customers, according to CL&P.

Update, 1:32 p.m.: 

Post Road has been reopened to traffic in both directions, according to Darien police.

Power is still out to the light at Post Road and Hecker Ave. but "should be restored shortly," police advised.

Update, 1:02 p.m.: 

Post Road is still closed to traffic in both directions between exit 11 and Hecker Ave. as CL&P crews continue their work. Police are letting southbound local traffic pass to and from Thorndal Circle, however.

Workers have straightened the damaged pole at this point, but more repairs remain. Some 250 Darien customers were without power at last count, according to CL&P.

Original article:

A van slammed into a utility pole on the east side of Post Road near Hecker Avenue Tuesday morning, closing the road to traffic in both directions.

According to Keith Barker, owner of , a male driver headed northbound on Post Road veered suddenly into the pole around 11 a.m.

Barker, who was in his store at the time, said he saw the grey van heading straight toward him before it came to rest against several potted plants along the sidewalk.

No serious injuries were reported, but Barker said a female passenger — the man's wife — indicated she was experiencing some wrist pain after the crash.

The struck utility pole leaned nearly halfway across Post Road after the accident, while the pole to its south exhibited a slight tilt. Darien police, Post 53, and firefighters from all three departments were on the scene.

The couple was in shock after the incident, store employees said, and stayed in the vehicle beneath the leaning pole until emergency responders arrived.

Power was shut down along part of Post Road around 11:50 a.m. as CL&P crews prepared to begin their work. The still had power, however.

Barker, whose store can't receive traffic until the scene is cleared, said the incident came as a blow just two weeks after his business lost power for four days due to Irene.