Truck damages overhead power lines on Fourth Street in DeKalb

DeKALB – Police and fire crews closed a portion of Fourth Street in DeKalb after a truck carrying an oversized load knocked down overhead lines, including a ComEd power line, Tuesday in the 1000 block of South Fourth Street.

South Fourth Street was closed to traffic from Sunset Place to Tyler Street for about 45 minutes after the ComEd and Comcast cables came down about 11 a.m. Tuesday morning, DeKalb police Sgt. Jon Costliow said. The power lines were arcing and crews from both utilities came out to repair the damage.

The damaged power lines left a handful of residential customers and one business without power for several hours. Power was restored before 3 p.m., according to ComEd’s website.

Illinois State Police were called to check the vehicle’s travel permits, Costliow said.

The 12-axle truck, which had a T.J. Potter Trucking Inc. logo on it, was traveling to Effingham. It was carrying a 17-foot tall piece of electrical equipment, Costliow said.

T.J. Potter Trucking Inc., based in Becker, Minnesota, specializes in heavy and oversized loads, according to its website.