Two EMT’s escaped injury early Friday morning after a Caribou Ambulance struck a utility pole along US Route 1 in Monticello, causing a power outage in the area.

Caribou Ambulannce strikes utility pole in Monticello
Maine State Police
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Maine State Police say 18-year-old Nicholas Pelletier was driving north in a 2009 Ford Ambulance shortly before 1 a.m. Nicholas told police he fell asleep while driving, drifted to the right of the highway and struck a utility pole, according to Corporal Dennis Quint.

The pole broke away from the base and a power transformer dislodged and fell to the ground. The electrical lines became tangled in the trees, causing a power surge, which led to the outage.

Neither Nicholas nor the other EMT, 49-year-old John Thornton of Woodland, was injured in the crash, Quint said.

Route 1 was shut down for about 3 hours due to power lines in the roadway. Crews from Emera Maine removed the downed lines, and restored power to the area.

Ambulance strikes power pole on Route 1
Maine State Police
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The ambulance sustained significant damage during the crash and was towed from the scene.

Monticello Fire Department and Fairpoint Communications also responded to the accident.

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