Two separate crashes involving vehicles hitting poles, sparking fires and bringing down power lines, caused road closures in Zion and Beach Park Thursday evening.
The Zion Fire Rescue Department and Zion Police Department responded around 7:58 p.m. Thursday to the area of Lewis Avenue and Salem Boulevard for a vehicle crash.
Fire officials said a car struck an electrical pole and brought live power lines down.
A fire subsequently started and ComEd was called to the scene to shut down the power.
Paramedics evaluated the sole occupant of the car at the scene but they declined transport to the hospital, fire officials said.
Lewis Avenue was completely shut down near the intersection for an extended period.
Just over an hour later, the Beach Park Fire Department and Lake County Sheriff’s Office responded around 9:18 p.m. to the area of Sheridan Road and Howard Street for a report of a vehicle crash.
Lake County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Chief Christopher Covelli said a pickup truck turned off of a side street and attempted to merge on Sheridan Road.
The driver lost control and struck a utility pole, damaging the pole and bringing down live wires, Covelli said. No other vehicles were involved.
A fire started and ComEd was called to the scene to shut down the power. The truck involved was heavily damaged.
Sheridan Road was completely shut down from Beach Road to Yorkhouse Road.
Covelli said no injuries were reported and the driver was not suspected of being under the influence.