Donkey Hill was reopened to through traffic Monday evening following a 12:30 p.m. accident involving an eastbound Sanitary Trashmoval Services (STS) truck descending the steep, twisty and narrow roadway.
V.I. Water and Power Authority officials on the scene said the driver was unhurt in the accident. No other vehicles were involved, according to WAPA technician Claude Richardson.
During the afternoon and into early evening, police directed eastbound drivers to turn around at Green Cay Plantation, while westbound traffic was directed to take Rhymer Highway or Skyline.
Severing one phone pole halfway down Donkey Hill, the accident brought down four power lines and a number of telecommunications lines across the roadway itself. An eyewitness said that there was a considerable spark just after the first lines were hit.
After hitting the first pole, the truck careened up the hillside, striking a second pole before coming to rest on its driver’s side next to the roadway at the bottom of Donkey Hill
A Public Works wrecker arrived on site around 1:30 p.m. to assist with righting the overturned vehicle.
Limited power interruptions will affect the Bolongo Bay area and other areas fed by Feeder 9D until repairs are completed, which is expected sometime Tuesday, according to Lynnette Moreland, WAPA’s acting public information officer.
However, digging and planting new poles in the area will likely cause further interruptions to Donkey Hill traffic Tuesday.