MT. VERNON A loaded tractor-trailer truck crashed on Highway 26, west of Mt. Vernon, shearing off a power pole and blocking traffic for hours Monday evening.

Oregon State Police Sgt. Tom Hutchison said the crash occurred about 5:08 p.m. at milepost 145, when the truck took a curve too fast and went out of control.

The truck slid into a guard rail and the trailer loaded with lumber hit the pole. The rig ended up on its side across the highway.

Hutchison said the roadway in both directions had to be closed until the utility lines on the ground could be removed. Crews were still working to open the road at midnight.

The driver, Richard Adams, 47, was cited for careless driving.

Oregon Trail Electric Coop (OTEC) crews responded to the scene to deal with power lines downed by the crash, which knocked out electricity to about 455 OTEC customers.

Utility crews opened a switch to restore power to about 67 customers by 6:15 p.m., but the rest were without power until about 2:20 a.m. Tuesday. Workers had to replace the pole to completely restore service.

The Oregon Department of Transportation also responded to the scene.