A Baldwin neighborhood was thrown into chaos Friday afternoon after a sand and gravel truck struck a low-hanging wire, sparking a domino effect that toppled three utility poles and a transformer.
“You can see the wires, they’re hanging all over the place,” said resident Johanna Pastore, describing the scene of Forest Avenue between Schuman Place and Barth Drive. Pastore recalled hearing a loud thump before the lights went out, only to step outside and find a large cement truck tangled in wires.
According to PSEG, the crash brought down the poles and transformer, forcing their crews to rush in and secure the area. Workers spent hours on the scene, with repairs continuing well into the night. One pole belongs to PSEG, while the other two are owned by Verizon according to PSEG
For some residents, the damage was especially devastating. Paula Jennings said her electrical panel was ripped straight off her home.
“Even when they fix the outside, I’m still not going to have electricity,” Jennings said.
She left work early after a neighbor sent her a video of the crash and is now scrambling to find an electrician, worried she’ll miss more work as the repairs drag on.
“I don’t even know what to say, I’m lost for words,” Jennings added. “It’s just very, very inconvenient because now I have to figure out how to get an electrician to get the wire back up.”
Despite the disruption, Jennings remains grateful. “And I am grateful that I still have life. The house is still standing,” she said.
Police confirmed no injuries were reported. Local residents thanked first responders for their quick action as crews worked overnight to restore power.
