RUMFORD – A 50-year-old Rumford man escaped serious injury Wednesday morning when the 1999 Ford pickup truck he was driving struck a utility pole on Route 108.
Power was out for at least a couple of hours in Peru and Dixfield after the 8:53 a.m. accident, said Rumford Sgt. Stacy Carter.
Robert Cote was driving north on Route 108 near the junction with Wyman Hill Road when he apparently fell asleep, said Carter. When Cote’s truck struck the Central Maine Power Co. pole, it broke, then, along with live wires, it fell onto his truck. Cote remained in the vehicle for at least 20 minutes while CMP employees cut the electricity. While Route 108 was closed for an hour or so, traffic was diverted to Route 2.
Med-Care Ambulance Service personnel evaluated and treated Cote at the scene for minor injuries. Ambulance service director Dean Milligan said Cote did not require transportation to the hospital.
Carter said Cote’s truck sustained about $10,000 damage. Investigating officer was Rumford officer Daniel Garbarini.
Members of the Rumford Fire Department also responded to the scene.
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