Driver hospitalized after hitting light pole

Friday, April 23, 2004 | 9:38 a.m.

A pickup truck driver was taken by air ambulance to the University Medical Center early today after his vehicle hit a light pole in Henderson with such force it tore off his rear axle and wheels, Henderson Police said.

The condition on the man was not immediately available from the hospital.

The 5:30 a.m. accident started at 871 Coronado Center Drive, between Eastern Avenue and Horizon Ridge Parkway, and ended at 891 Coronado Center Drive, a Henderson Fire Department station.

"It sounded like rocks being dumped in the road," Henderson Fire Capt. Michael Moss said of the accident that woke the sleeping fire crew.

"It was the shortest distance we ever had to travel for a call."

Firefighters used a tool called "the jaws of life" to remove the man from his Toyota truck which, after hitting the light pole, skidded and came to rest on the passenger side.

Henderson Police closed the southbound Coronado Center lane for several hours between Eastern and Horizon Ridge.

The southbound pickup truck had hit the pole with its back end -- a portion of the rear bumper remained wrapped around the pole -- and bent it.

The street light globe atop the pole was knocked off and nowhere to be seen.

The truck's rear axle lay just feet from the light pole and the truck skidded on its side at least another 100 feet from the point of impact.