Ok-who hit the utility pole with ramming speed and took out the pole AND ALL the lines by my house this afternoon? Power came back on just a little while ago (I think we're on generator power though) and it was out for hours. I have a feeling the power is going off again when they unhook that generator. ComEd is putting stuff back together again.

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Ok-who hit the utility pole with ramming speed and took out the pole AND ALL the lines by my house this afternoon?

Number 41-Wanted for questioning

My guess: some kid talking on a cell phone in the SUV that was crushed by the pole.

I, too, would like to know about this.

Lots of very angry folks about that one.

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Originally posted by farber55:
My guess: some kid talking on a cell phone in the SUV that was crushed by the pole.

I, too, would like to know about this.

Lots of very angry folks about that one.

Man-o-man, was that a fiasco or what?! Speculation -I missed it I was at the movies- was that that SUV was driving WAY to fast.
I'm on Hill, that happened behind me practially in front of neighbor's house and it took out weird grids. I was out for hours but then came back on (about 4 of us) while Hillside was still out until,?? 9:30 10:00 - Wow, who's paying for that? I regret I didn't get plate number of the d*#m SUV. I saw it sitting there, saw it again as they were trying to tow it. I wonder where lawsuits will be addressed? -If I only had the plate number...

What bothers me is the fragility of the power lines around this area. Over the past year we've had more outages that I can remember -- and I'm astonished that it's so *easy* for the power to simply go out. Poof.

You're telling me some kid can total his SUV against a *single* pole in the dead of winter and take down the power and heat for 200 people?

That's crazy. And appalling.

It is against the law for kids to be talking on their cell phones and driving, so if you see that and you know the kid - call their parents.

I am far more inclined to think it was a Glen Ellyn Mom. On numerous occasions yesterday, I saw them trying to maneuver their large SUVs with one hand on the wheel and another on their phone. Look around at any intersection - everyone is on their frickin' phones.

Hang up and drive - this is a pet peeve - and I didn't mean to hijack!!

That's possible, too. The only reason I say "a kid" was because someone at the scene said that's what it was.

But as with anything like that, there's always all kinds of stories. But one thing's for sure: a big SUV can take down a telephone pole relatively quickly.

Whoever was driving, I hope their insurance goes sky high.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by farber55:
But one thing's for sure: a big SUV can take down a telephone pole relatively quickly.

QUOTE]
And completely! Crap - that thing snapped everything. I didn't check but were phones and cable out for Hillside too?

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Originally posted by GEmom2:
It is against the law for kids to be talking on their cell phones and driving, so if you see that and you know the kid - call their parents.

I am far more inclined to think it was a Glen Ellyn Mom. On numerous occasions yesterday, I saw them trying to maneuver their large SUVs with one hand on the wheel and another on their phone. Look around at any intersection - everyone is on their frickin' phones.

Hang up and drive - this is a pet peeve - and I didn't mean to hijack!!

No - no, it's relative! You guys probably know where I stand with the Minivan/SUV and phone drivers. (speeding cars too) I see the 'phone thing, I'm in a hurry to get kids to school thing, gotta sneak through this intersection, make this light thing' constantly and that's not even getting out of my driveway yet. Which, on most days is a 5 minute procedure. The point being, SLOW DOWN! I've been passed in a school zone! Several times! With kids present! This is a residential town with children. Take it easy. Look what happened on a side street. People without power for, what was it, 9 hours?

I was out early yesterday and during the day. In town, it was crucial to keep a safe distance from others also out and about. I am a GE mom in a large 4WD SUV, but I also know that doesn't mean I can stop on a dime on snowy streets. When you have teen drivers you have to model good and safe driving. For clarification - the law is no cell phones while driving if you are under the age of 19 - exception for emergencies only - however that is defined!

The teen driver had to go out yesterday afternoon, but after slipping more than a little on our streets and at intersections, chose to stay home last night - he is usually the driver for friends and didn't feel comfortable on the streets.

I can't imagine being without power yesterday - though I could have fired up the new generator for the imac!

quote:

Originally posted by farber55:
What bothers me is the fragility of the power lines around this area...You're telling me some kid can total his SUV against a *single* pole in the dead of winter and take down the power and heat...

It was definitely teenagers, one girl and several boys. Not sure who was driving b/c they all bailed out of the car after the accident. Turns out kids today are not absorbing the "stay away from downed power lines" lesson.

Also note that they actually knocked the pole down. This was not just shaking the wires.