Hit-and-run driver leaves behind much damage

Utility workers prepare lines for remounting after a tractor-trailer struck and snapped a utility pole on Madison Street early Tuesday morning. (T-G Photo by David Melson) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

A hit-and-run one-vehicle accident that apparently involved a tractor-trailer caused massive problems for Shelbyville traffic and utility workers Tuesday morning.

The wreck, which occurred about 5:45 a.m. on Madison Street near Alton Avenue, left a utility pole snapped in two and the passenger side mirror arm from the truck lying nearby, Maj. Jan Phillips of the Shelbyville Police Department said.

Traffic was detoured around the multi-block area between Deery and Whitthorne streets for most of the day as electric, telephone and cable television wires were moved to a new pole. Utility workers were attempting to transfer the wires with minimal service disruptions, Phillips said.

"We were able to determine from a number on the mirror arm that it came off an eastbound Kenworth," Phillips said. "We notified Tullahoma, Coffee County, and Chattanooga to be on the lookout for a truck with its right side mirror missing."

No damaged truck was found, Phillips said.

Two other utility-related problems caused road closures Monday and Tuesday, authorities said.

* U.S. 41-A North was closed for several hours from El Bethel to Gregory Mill Road late Monday afternoon after a tractor-trailer snared and pulled down utility lines, the Bedford County Sheriff's Department said.

* State Highway 82 South, just south of Shelbyville, was shut for approximately an hour about 5:30 a.m. Tuesday due to a gas leak, the BCSD and city police said.

Approximately 35 customers were affected, an Atmos Energy representative said Tuesday.