Police Blotter: One-Vehicle Crash, A Sick Raccoon and More

Several customers lost power after a pickup sheared a utility pole near the bridge on Route 65,  Police reported.

Police responded shortly before 6 p.m. March 7 to the Sewickley Bridge approach for a report of a one-vehicle accident.

Police said a pickup driven by Thomas Ethridge, 61, of Sewickley, jumped a curb on Route 65 near the Sewickley Bridge. The pickup struck a utility pole and traveled another 15 feet before coming to a stop. 

Police said the pole was sheared off at about the height of the truck’s hood and dragged across the hood, up onto the windshield, over the roof and into the bed of the truck, where it was leaning, police said. Wires were also hanging down, and police  said they weren’t sure at first if the wires were live.

The bridge was shut down for a few hours for safety reasons, with traffic blocked at both ends. and police assisted.

Police said Ethridge explained he was coming across the bridge and attempting to exit onto Route 65 bur another vehicle cut him off as he approached Kramer Street, forcing him onto the curb and into the pole. Ethridge’s pickup was towed. No injuries were reported.

Duquesne Light Co. repaired the downed lines and the bridge was able to reopen, police said.

Sewickley Police also responded to the following recent incidents. Each incident reflects police records and is not an indication of guilt.

• Police were dispatched at 12:44 p.m. March 1 to the 600 block of Charette Place for a report of a sick raccoon running down the street. Police checked the area and were unable to locate the raccoon.

• Police were called to respond to the Quaker Valley Middle School at 4 p.m. March 2 for a report of a protection-from-abuse violation. When police arrived, the person accused of violating the PFA order had left.

• Police were dispatched shortly before 11 a.m. March 1 for a report of metal in the southbound lanes of Route 65. Police removed the debris from the roadway.

• Police received a report at 3:18 p.m. March 2 that a boy opened the door to Busy Bee Boutique on Beaver Street, yelled a curse word. then ran. Police said this has been an ongoing problem. Officers checked the area but were unable to locate the boy, police said.

• Police were called to the Presbyterian Church, 414 Grant St., shortly after 5 p.m. March 9 for a report of a stolen wallet. A woman told police she went to the bathroom and noticed e her wallet was missing when she returned. Several gift cards, credit cards, a zip drive, and her driver’s license were in the wallet.

• Police were patrolling on Route 65 at Broad Street when the officer saw a red Dodge Intrepid with an expired inspection sticker. The car was stopped in the Subway restaurant parking lot. The driver, Erik Craven, said he didn’t have his driver’s license. A check showed Craven’s license was under suspension, police said. The car was towed and gave Craven a ride to Ambridge.