Crash causes power outage

GLENDALE ? A man crashed his truck into a utility pole on San Fernando Road Monday morning, knocking it and a second pole down and cutting off electricity to surrounding homes and businesses, police said.

The man apparently lost control of his Chevrolet S-10 pick-up truck, hitting a utility pole after he turned north onto San Fernando Road from Electronics Place just west of the railroad tracks, Los Angeles Police Officer Richard Eagleson said.

At least two other cars parked alongside the road were damaged, he said.

The man was taken to USC Medical Center complaining of chest pains, Eagleson said. The man also hit his head on the windshield, but he is expected to be OK, Eagleson said.

Police said they did not believe alcohol or drugs were a factor, but they were continuing the investigation.

Police said the power outage effected several blocks along San Fernando Road. Leaving many businesses not only in the dark, but without a way to stay cool.

Luiz Gonzalez, a salesman at Baron Fine Furniture on San Fernando Road, said the power went out shortly before noon.

"We're in here sweating and no one will tell us when the power will come back on," Gonzalez said.

"We just went out and bought a land-line telephone because the other one is dead. This is just a bad situation for us."

Glendale police and fire also responded to the scene. gnp-pole.1.25-BPhotoInfo901T92NF20060725j2xsdencCredit: TAMMY ABBOTT News-Press and Leader Caption: (LA)A man driving a Chevy truck veered into the power pole looming in the background and was rescued and helped to a stretcher by Los Angeles City firefighters along with the Glendale Fire and Police Departments, Monday on San Fernando Road, just south of Broadway.