TRACTOR TRAILER KNOCKS DOWN DOWNTOWN LIGHT POLE

Photo by Adam Diaz/TCS
Lincolnton Police Lt. Dwite Shehan looks at a downed light pole in front of the tax office in downtown Lincolnton Wednesday night. A tractor trailer, traveling east, knocked the pole down across the bench across from the Chamber office.

By Jon Mayhew

LINCOLNTON -- A tratctor trailer driver from Alabama is cited Wednesday night after knocking a downtown Lincolnton light pole down across a bench in front of the Lincoln County Tax Office.

According to Lincolnton Police Lt. Dwite Shehan, the incident happened around 6 p.m. when James Edward Parham of Alabama came around the Court Square, heading east.

Parham, driving for Western Express trucking, had come to Lincoln County to pick up a trailer and was heading to his next destination at the time of the incident.

"His trailer hit the light pole, knocking it down," said Shehan. "A witness who observed this said the driver stopped the vehicle, got out and looked, then drove away."

The driver later told Shehan that he didn't have anywhere to stop.

Shehan said he wasn't buying the explanation, especially since Parham initially denied doing the damage.

"The driver even drove right by the police department, where there's plenty of room for him to park," said Shehan.

Shehan cited the driver for hit and run. Police caught up with the driver as he was preparing to get on Highway 321 south, heading towards Gastonia.

It's against state law for tractor trailers to come through downtown Lincolnton, according to Shehan.

"There are signs posted by the state DOT that say no truck route," said Shehan.

Business owner Laurie Bostian noticed the damage as she was leaving Personal Artist Studio and Gallery.

"I've been in my store window, painting, and have seen 18 wheelers going around the Court Square before," said Bostian.

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