Route 14 Crash Causes Power Outage, Road Closure

A Wisconsin woman on Monday afternoon was issued a citation for improper lane use after her car struck a utility pole on Route 14 in Crystal Lake.

Mariann Fritz, 69, of Edgerton, Wis., was driving westbound on Route 14 at about 1:44 p.m. June 10, when her 2004 GMC Envoy veered across the two eastbound lanes and struck a utility pole in the 5400 block of Route 14, according to a Crystal Lake Police Department news release.

The crash downed power lines and caused power loss to the surrounding businesses and homes, Police Cmdr Dan Dziewior stated in the release.

Crystal Lake Police and Fire Rescue Departments responded to the crash scene
and extricated Fritz, the sole occupant, from the car. Fritz suffered injuries  classified as not life-threatening and was transported to the Centegra Hospital in Woodstock for further evaluation and treatment, Dziewior said.

Because the utility pole sustained significant damage and police were concerned the downed lines were still energized, a section of the highway between Main Street and Pingree Road was closed to traffic.

Initially, an estimated 2,600 ComEd customers experienced loss of power; however, within one hour of the crash, all but 34 had been restored. By 90 minutes, all but 16 customers had received electrical power restoration, Dziewior stated. 

No other vehicles, persons, or property were involved. Fritz was issued a traffic citation for improper lane use, Dziewior said.

By 3:30 p.m. Route 14 was open to vehicle traffic with the exception of one eastbound lane to allow ComEd crews to complete necessary repairs.