Road reopens after big-rig crash in Ceres

CERES — About 25 to 30 Turlock Irrigation District customers near Mitchell and Hatch roads lost power early this morning when a big rig driver lost his load, taking out power poles and telephone lines, authorities reported.

A power pole was knocked down and 1,000 feet of power lines were down on the roadway, according to TID public information specialist Jill GeRue. Most of the customers are commercial businesses, according to GeRue.

The traffic light is also out at the intersection, and police have four-way stop signs in effect. TID has two crews working to restore power. GeRue said the problem should be fixed by 2 p.m. today.

The incident happened at 5:55 a.m. The driver was going east on Hatch Road when he tried to turn left on Mitchell. The load fell off, knocking over telephone poles and power lines.

Eastbound and westbound lanes of Hatch Road were closed, and traffic backed up in both directions on Mitchell this morning. The road was reopened later this morning.