BERWICK – A tractor-trailer accident here has shut down Route 11 after causing major damage to power lines, according to rescue crews.

A tractor trailer was eastbound on Route 11, West Front Street in the area, around 10:30 p.m. when it struck two telephone polls with transformers near the Celebration Villa of Berwick, according to West Berwick Fire Chief Tim Deitrich.

“He was hauling recycled foam,” Deitrich said. Berwick fire crews arrive at the accident around 10:40 p.m.

State police identified the driver as Amarjeet Singh, with DMK Express, Chicago.

Singh had minor facial injuries, Deitrich said. The accident did severe damage to the telephone poles on Route 11. Just before midnight, PPL estimated that it would take about 12 hours to replace the poles and transformers, Deitrich said. As of 6:15 a.m., Route 11 remained shut down from Park Road to West Bowman Street.

Deitrich explained that the Berwick Fire Department was working to get a generator to Celebration Villa of Berwick, an assisted living home. However, Deitrich said the backup plan was to evacuate residents to other facilities.

Although the accident knocked down two power lines, the rest of Berwick continued to have power as crews worked.

“The top line is still hot, but the transformers on the pole powered (Celebration Villa),” Deitrich said.

Detour

When coming in east to the borough crews are detouring traffic onto Park Road, which leads traffic to Route 93 into the borough before putting leading back on Route 11.

When exiting west out of the borough crews are detouring traffic on 93 at Orange Street.

Berwick Fire Department along with Berwick Fire Police, Bloomsburg State Police and Geisinger EMS responded to the accident. Don’s Towing, Berwick, was on standby at 12:30 a.m. to haul the tractor-trailer away.

Drew Mumich covers Danville and Montour County, he can be reached at 570-387-1234 ext. 1343 or at drew.mumich@pressenterprise.net.