16-year-old wrecks into pole right after receiving learner's permit
Minutes after obtaining her learner's permit and just two days after turning 16 years old, a Karns City girl this morning crashed into a utility pole along Center Drive in Oakland Township, state police said.
Neither the girl nor her mother, 38, was injured in the wreck about 10:15 a.m. but the pole snapped off, forcing police to close the road between Route 68 and Love Road. A Central Electric Cooperative crew arrived on scene about 11:15 a.m.
Gary Wulff, chief of the Oneida Valley Volunteer Fire Department, said the power would have to be cut and the pole replaced.
The girl and her mother were coming from the Department of Transportation's Driver License Center in Butler Township, police said. The mother had driven to the Route 68 and Center Drive intersection where she and her daughter switched seats.
The girl was driving north when she lost control of the Suzuki XL7, went off the road and hit the pole.
The vehicle ended on its side. Both occupants apparently got out of the overturned vehicle by way of the sun roof.
Firefighters are assisting police with traffic control.
The investigating trooper blamed “driver inexperience” for the crash. He said charges are not expected.
This is a breaking news report — pick up Thursday's Butler Eagle or subscribe online to read any updated information about the crash.
