Lakewood Fire Department

LAKEWOOD — A vehicle that sheared a utility pole Thursday evening caused power lines to come down and forced the closure of a road for several hours.

The accident occurred around 5:30 p.m. on Fairdale Avenue, between Fairmount and Terrace avenues.

According to Lakewood Fire Chief Kurt Hallberg, the driver of a vehicle that had turned off Fairmount failed to negotiate a curve and struck a utility pole in front of Elements Salon & Spa. The collision sheared the pole, though it remained upright, but did cause power lines to fall across the roads.

Hallberg said the pole in question had three transformers on it. Two vehicles parked at the salon also were struck in the crash.

Meanwhile, Hallberg said the driver of the vehicle was evaluated.

Firefighters remained on scene for at least four and a half hours. National Grid quickly responded and eventually placed a new pole in the ground.

Hallberg said the driver was lucky to escape serious injuries.

Lakewood firefighters have been kept busy this week.

First responders were alerted to a major collision at about 6 p.m. Tuesday at Baker Street Extension and Shadyside Road in the town of Busti. Hallberg said a vehicle traveling southbound on Shadyside entered Baker and was struck by an eastbound Ram cargo van.

The female driver of the vehicle, who Hallberg said was not wearing a seat belt, suffered serious injuries. She was taken by medical helicopter right from the scene to UPMC Hamot in Erie, Pa. An update on her condition was not known.

A dog that was with the woman in the vehicle died in the crash, Hallberg said.

Firefighters from Busti assisted Tuesday.

A GoFundMe drive (https://gofund.me/2493a9b6) has been set up for the woman. As of Friday morning, more than $7,000 had been donated.