Busy Washington road reopens after tractor-trailer crash knocks down poles, power lines

WASHINGTON, Pa. — UPDATE: Murtland Avenue has reopened.

A tractor-trailer crash in Washington brought down poles and power lines.

Murtland Avenue has been closed since 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday.

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A Channel 11 photographer captured a video of poles leaning after the crash, with wires near the ground.

“The truck is of normal height. In talking to the electric company, they feel the lines were sagging a little more because of the heat, which may be why he caught those wires and pulled them down,” Washington Mayor JoJo Burgess said.

A witness told Channel 11 the truck brought the poles and wires down while turning into the Budd Baer dealership.

“Wires were live in the middle of the road on fire. It was a pretty bad situation when it first happened,” Burgess said.

Much of the area is still without power. Crews have been working through the night to restore power.

“Some of the businesses, though, this stretch here on Murtland, probably won’t have anything until at least tomorrow,” Burgess told Channel 11.

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