Busy week for township’s finest.
By John Tredrea
Dangling wires cause Carter Road closure
Carter Road was closed for about eight hours Tuesday because of utility wires dangling from a pole snapped in two by a driver who apparently fell asleep at the wheel, but was not injured in the crash, police said.
Capt. George Meyer of the Hopewell Township police said the accident occurred at 11:26 a.m., just south of Lexicon Pharmaceutical on Carter Road.
John Florence, 75, of Lumberville, Pa., was driving southbound on Carter Road when he drifted off the right side of road. "We believe he fell asleep at the wheel," Capt. Meyer said. "Mr. Florence’s vehicle struck a utility pole, snapping it in two. The pole remained standing wires were holding it up but wires were dangling down and the road had to be closed."
That section of Carter Road was closed down until utility workers repaired the damage. The work was completed late Tuesday evening.
Mr. Florence was not injured. He was charged with careless driving by investigating Patrolman Bill Springer.
Cigarette lighter blamed for damaging fire
A Saturday morning fire apparently started by a carelessly discarded cigarette lighter that had been used to remove plastic bands from furniture being delivered to a Hopewell Township home caused major damage to the delivery truck and a car owned by the resident to whom the furniture was being delivered.
Capt. George Meyer of the Hopewell Township Police Department said Monday that the accidental fire started at the Pleasant Valley-Harbourton Road residence of the Borden family at 11:45 a.m. Saturday.
At that time, bedroom furniture was being delivered to the Borden residence by the firm of dane decor, which has locations in Pennsylvania and South Jersey.
"Some of the furniture in the back of the truck was fastened together with plastic bands," Capt. Meyer said. "One of the delivery men used a cigarette lighter to melt one of the bands off, then discarded the lighter inside the truck."
Unbeknownst to the deliveryman, the lighter was still lit.
"When they came back to the truck to get more furniture, the truck was engulfed in flames," Capt. Meyer said. "Also on fire was a 1999 Buick owned by the Borden family. Both the truck and car were severely damaged."
The Borden house, located about 15 feet from where the truck was parked, was not damaged. No injuries resulted from the fire.
Union Fire Company, Hopewell Fire Department and Pennington Fire Company all responded. A dollar estimate of the damage caused was not available.
No charges were filed by investigating township Officer Chris Vaccarino.
Equipment, tools stolen from township site
Sixteen thousand dollars worth of construction equipment and tools were stolen from three contractors working on a house on Long Way, Hopewell Township, police said.
Long Way is located off Province Line Road.
Capt. George Meyer said Monday that the theft occurred late the night of Nov. 8 or early the morning of Nov. 9.
"It was reported to us 6:30 the morning of the 9th," Capt. Meyer said. "A lock was cut off the door of a construction trailer at the site of the house under construction. Everything inside the trailer was taken."
Stolen were a DeWalt compound saw, DeWalt cutoff saw, Senco nail guns, a Honda generator and dozens of smaller items.
The stolen items belonged to contractors Drew McConavy of Louisville, Ky., David Sherman of Princeton and Andrew Dejineka of Stockton.