Driver who caused power outage tells police he was distracted by passenger
AEP crews work on the damaged power line Tuesday afternoon.
July 10, 2018
Around 1,600 AEP customers remain without power in Zanesville after an early morning crash brought down several power lines on Moxahala Avenue.
According to the report, the driver, 27 year-old Anthony Williams, told police he drove off the road and crashed when he looked over at the 18 year-old woman in the passenger seat.
The officer wrote that he later overheard Williams say the woman in the passenger seat was performing oral sex on him when he crashed around 3 a.m.
The car Williams was driving snapped the utility pole in half and brought down surrounding power lines.
To do that kind of damage, the officer estimates Williams was driving between 50-60 mph when he lost control.
Despite the estimated speed, neither Williams or his passenger were injured.
According to the report, Williams was acting weird “as far as dancing around and trying to joke with [the officer] about what had happened.”
The officer said Williams denied consuming any alcohol before crashing.
Police ran a field sobriety test on the driver, but did not find him to be intoxicated.
Williams was cited for failure to control.
According to the report, AEP told officers it would take hours to remove the downed lines on top the vehicle, contributing to a nearly 12-hour restoration period.
As of 1:30 p.m., AEP still estimated power to be restored by 3 p.m.
Dawn Williams • Jul 10, 2018 at 6:55 pm
First of all my son lost control looking at his girlfriends phone. But for people to make him out to b a monster. Hes definitly remorseful. He wouldnt purposely do anything to hurt anyone . Who is this officer that said he overheard my son saying that? You can wish all the bad u want on him. He has to deal with what he did on top of recovering. But for someone to post lies is a whole different story. I almost lost my son last night.
Jonda • Jul 10, 2018 at 5:53 pm
I totally agree with Scott Madigan!I had to leave the safety of my own home & come over to my daughter’s home because I am on oxygen & didn’t have the convenience of the home unit without the power!!Absolutely No Phone Calls Could Get Made or Received Today Because It Also Depends On The Power,Therefore No Bills Were Paid Today Over The Phone!!I don’t know what time my hospital tests are scheduled for.. Household Chores Wasn’t Taken Care Of Today Because The Washer, Dryer, Sweeper, Etc..Doesn’t Work Without Power..The Food In The Freezers Are Holdin At A Less Cooler Temperature Then They Were,I Could Go On & ON..All Because Of Someone’s Poor Judgement!!!SMH At Least No One Was Killed!! Thank God!!
Jonda Harper • Jul 10, 2018 at 5:41 pm
I totally agree with Scott Madigan!I had to leave the safety of my own home & come over to my daughter’s home because I am on oxygen & didn’t have the convenience of the home unit without the power!!Absolutely No Phone Calls Could Get Made or Received Today Because It Also Depends On The Power,Therefore No Bills Were Paid Today Over The Phone!!I don’t know what time my hospital tests are scheduled for.. Household Chores Wasn’t Taken Care Of Today Because The Washer, Dryer, Sweeper, Etc..Doesn’t Work Without Power..The Food In The Freezers Are Holdin At A Less Cooler Temperature Then They Were,I Could Go On & ON..All Because Of Someone’s Poor Judgement!!!SMH At Least No One Was Killed!! Thank God!!
Karrie Brewer • Jul 11, 2018 at 7:04 pm
That poor guy!!! People slandering his name!! He’s so young!! Yes he should not have looked over at his friends phone to end up losing control and breaking his hip in 3 places!! He will have hip problems for the rest of his life now!!! Everyone makes mistakes in life, some worse than others!! I’m pretty sure he has definitely learned his lesson about distracted driving and will pay for it for the rest of his life!! Lots of Prayers for a speedy recovery Anthony!!
Scott Madigan • Jul 10, 2018 at 3:39 pm
That jack ass should be held responsible to pay for the damages. He dances and jokes while people suffer in the heat because as his ineptitude. Also, local businesses are effected, cause many to loss business and income. Not to mention the traffic nightmare he caused downtown. They should revoke his license until he pays for the damage.
Ted Lee Campbell • Jul 10, 2018 at 7:55 pm
I agree: This is No Joking Matter: It was HOT Out Side . I felt Bad For The older People & The One that said they were on oxygen: VERY SAD . He Does Not Need To Be Driver On On The Road Way’s !!! I just thought @ the power out that was to happen .