Speeding cited in West Richland power pole crash

The driver of a car that ran into a power pole on Van Giesen Street Wednesday afternoon was cited for speeding, West Richland police said Thursday.

The car was being driven west on Van Giesen Street when the driver lost control turning onto 38th Avenue, according to police reports.

The power pole snapped and lines dropped within a foot of the road, closing traffic in both directions on Van Giesen Street.

Mayor Brent Gerry saw the crash from his office window. He praised the quick response of the city’s police and public workers department, Benton County Fire District 4, Benton REA and the state Department of Transportation.

This story was originally published September 29, 2016 at 4:03 PM with the headline "Speeding cited in West Richland power pole crash."