Wednesday, Feb. 08, 2012

Chowchilla man electrocuted after Madera County crash

When involved in an accident, the first thing people want to do is get out of the vehicle if at all possible to avoid further danger. However, when the accident involves bringing down power lines those natural instincts can lead to a tragedy.

Last week, there were two accidents involving live power lines. Ryan Reedy, 28, of Chowchilla died after stepping on a live power line in one of those accidents.

According to the California Highway Patrol, Reedy was driving a 2001 Mazda Tribute southbound on Road 16, north of Avenue 21 1/2 at about 7 p.m. last Wednesday, at an unknown speed. For an unknown reason, Reedy's vehicle traveled onto the west dirt shoulder of Road 16. The front of the vehicle collided with a power pole. The power pole was knocked down as a result of the collision and the power lines came to rest near the vehicle's driver side door.

The CHP report said the vehicle suffered moderate damage to the front end, and Reedy didn't suffer any visible injuries as a result of the collision. Reedy got out of the vehicle after the accident. When he did, he made contact with the power lines, which caused his death. CHP said alcohol didn't appear to be a factor in the accident.

The first accident occurred Jan. 30, at about 5 p.m. at Washington Road and West Robertson Boulevard.

The driver of a big-rig truck made a left turn off Robertson Boulevard to park his truck of Washington Road. When he made the turn, the front passenger side of the box trailer struck the utility pole.

Chowchilla police officer Ken Alberton said that, according to a witness, the driver continued to drive forward, causing the pole to snap in half. The transformer then exploded, bringing down live wires across the truck and on the ground.

Several calls came into the Chowchilla Police Department reporting the accident. Police and the Chowchilla Volunteer Fire Department went to the accident and arrived within two or three minutes. City stand-by was also called out to set up road blocks. The driver was advised to stay in his truck.

A PG&E crew responded to the scene, assessed the damage, cut the power and then the driver, along with his traveling companion, a miniature Doberman Pinscher, were allowed to leave the truck.

Lights flickered throughout the city, as far out as Avenue 23 1/2, but no one lost power as a result of the accident.

The road was blocked for about six hours while PG&E repaired the damage.

According to the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration, tens of thousands of accidents each year occur where power poles are struck by cars or large equipment. Each one of these accidents has the potential to bring down power lines. Surviving the accident itself might not be enough to stay alive without awareness of the right moves to make.

"In an accident involving power lines most usually the safest place to stay is in your vehicle, unless there is a fire. Then people need to know how to exit the vehicle safely, jumping free and clear, landing with feet together and hopping away," said Chowchilla Fire Chief Harry Turner.