A County Waste truck driver dozed off at the wheel about 7 am Tuesday morning just east of the Tate Road intersection with Clay Hill Road. Coming into the corner at the top of the Mechanic Street hill, the eastbound (downhill) truck crossed over the center line, went across the uphill traffic lane and ended with two wheels in the ditch and two wheels on the road. The truck continued for more than one hundred feet, severing a telephone pole into three pieces along the way. The truck finally came to rest against three pine trees, which prevented it from ending up on its side. The driver was shaken but sustained no injuries. Two pieces of the telephone pole, each with wires attached, laid in the roadway. Niagra Mohawk was on the scene within 30 minutes to shut power off in the lines. A towing company under contract to County Waste was dispatched to retrieve the truck. By noon, a new pole was installed, the power was back on and the truck was removed. The West Hoosick and Hoosick Falls Fire Departments responded, along with the NY State Police and Town of Hoosick Rescue Squad. (Steve Bradley photo)
