Power pole broken in accident

A power pole was snapped in an accident on North SR 53, near Fort Seneca, Thursday afternoon. Sgt. Mike Walter of the Fremont post of State Highway Patrol identified the driver of the vehicle as Carl Burkes, 86, of Tiffin. It sounded like Burkes fell asleep, he said. The vehicle went off the right side of the road, struck a plastic culvert, crossed over a private driveway and struck and knocked down an American Electric Power utility pole, Walter said. "Lines are down," he said. Walter said Burkes was wearing a seatbelt and didn't want to go to the hospital. "He does not appear to be hurt," he said. Burkes was being cited with failure to control. SR 53 temporarily was blocked as rescue crews worked at the scene. Personnel from State Highway Patrol, Seneca County Sheriff's Office, Old Fort Volunteer Fire Department, North Central EMS, Ohio Department of Transportation, D & D Total Repair and AEP assisted at the scene of the accident, which occurred about 12:50 p.m.