Stafford Cops: Man Splits Pole, Charged With Careless Driving

STAFFORD TOWNSHIP - Stafford police have charged a Marlton man who took down a utility pole on East Bay Avenue Sunday when he lost control of his box truck with careless driving, Lt. James R. Vaugn said.

Kevin J. Gaskill, 23, was traveling east on the roadway at 11:50 a.m. on Dec. 10 when he lost control of the truck while he was trying to negotiate a bend in the roadway. The truck left the roadway, split the utility pole in half, then rolled over on its side, Vaughn said.

Gaskill was then treated on scene by the Stafford Township First Aid Squad, but did not go to the hospital.

Both Verizon and the Atlantic City Electric Company responded to the scene to replace the police and reconnect the lines to the pole. Power was restored to the surrounding area, Vaughn said.

The accident did not affect eastbound traffic on East Bay Avenue, but westbound traffic had be rerouted for roughly six hours, he said.

Ptl. Allen Jillson is the investigating officer. The Stafford Township Volunteer Fire Company and the Stafford Township Volunteer EMS also assisted.

Gaskill has a future court date in Stafford Municipal Court to answer the careless driving charge, Vaughn said.

Image: Courtesy of Stafford Township Police Department