ALTOONA, Wis. – A rural driver cashed into a power pole, downing several trees and starting a grass fire. John Bauer, age 76, who has an Eau Claire address, was taken to a hospital. He also was charged with drunken driving. The accident was about 1:50 p.m. in the 10000 block of County Highway Q east of Altoona. Bauer was alone in the vehicle. Crews brought the fire under control and restored power. Police said Bauer was westbound in a oickup truck and failed to negotiate curve. The vehicle crossed the centerline, went through the oncoming lane, entered the ditch, and rolled.
Not a spared body panel. Driver expected to survive. Through the brush you see red firefighting equipment whose crew caught the grass fire early. Image: Eau Claire County sheriff