1-vehicle accident in MH results in highway closure from damage to electric pole, fiber-optic lines

A Mountain Home man suffered what was termed a “suspected minor injury” from a one-vehicle accident Friday night. While the report from the Mountain Home Police Department does not indicate 72-year-old Steven Healey sought treatment, there was additional damage resulting in a multi-hour road closure.

Healey was traveling on U.S. Highway 62B and was pulling away from the traffic signal at Commerce Drive when he shifted into third gear. The turbo on his vehicle reportedly kicked in, causing his rear wheels to break loose from the roadway.

The vehicle swerved to the left, and Healey overcorrected, causing it to spin. The vehicle reportedly turned 180 degrees, exited the right side of the roadway and struck two fiber-optic junction boxes and a North Arkansas Electric Cooperative pole before coming to rest.

The fiber-optic boxes were broken at the base with their lines damaged, and the electric pole was broken nearly 3 feet from the ground. The lines crossing Highway 62B and the potential for the pole falling resulted in the closure of the highway for nearly five hours until the pole and lines were replaced.

Damage from the 10:19 p.m. accident was estimated at $10,000 to the electric pole, $20,000 to the Ritter Communications fiber-optic lines and $20,000 to the Yelcot fiber-optic lines. Damage to Healey’s vehicle was also estimated at $10,000.

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