Watch as truck snaps utility pole, sparks fire at busy toms river intersection

Watch as Truck Snaps Utility Pole, Sparks Fire at Busy Toms River Intersection

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1 min read
July 22, 2026
A truck brought down utility wires Wednesday afternoon, snapping a utility pole and igniting a fire at the intersection of Route 70 and Whitesville Road in Toms River, causing major traffic delays.

Toms River, NJ – A truck struck overhead utility wires Thursday afternoon at the intersection of Route 70 and Whitesville Road in Toms River, causing a utility pole to snap and catch fire.

The incident also left live wires draped across at least one vehicle, prompting an emergency response and significant traffic disruptions. Motorists are being urged to avoid the area and expect delays for the next several hours as utility crews work to make the intersection safe.

Video was captured by the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department mobile surveillance unit outside a Whitesville Road mosque.

“At approximately 10:58 a.m. today, a white semi-truck hauling a lowboy trailer loaded with a forklift was traveling north on Whitesville Road when it struck and knocked down power lines in the area of Route 70 and Whitesville Road in Toms River.

Crews are currently on scene working to clear the area and restore power. Drivers are asked to avoid the area and use caution if traveling nearby. Downed power lines should always be treated as energized — do not attempt to move or drive over them,” – OC Sheriff’s Dept.

Utility crews responding

Emergency crews responded after the damaged pole caught fire following the collision. Authorities have not reported any injuries, and the extent of damage to the affected vehicle has not been released.

Drivers should expect lane closures and detours while crews remove the damaged pole, repair utility lines, and restore service.

Other traffic incidents across New Jersey

New Jersey commuters also faced several other traffic disruptions Thursday afternoon, including:

  • A disabled truck blocking the left lane on the upper level westbound of the George Washington Bridge.
  • A water main break closing all northbound lanes of U.S. 206 north of Princeton Pike in Lawrence Township.
  • A disabled truck blocking the left lane on the New Jersey Turnpike local lanes northbound near Exit 71 in Englewood.
  • A crash blocking the left lane on the lower level eastbound of the George Washington Bridge in Fort Lee.
  • A disabled tractor-trailer closing the right lane and shoulder on southbound U.S. 1 near Sandhill Road in South Brunswick Township.

Why it matters

Downed power lines can create dangerous conditions for motorists and utility workers while also causing extended traffic delays and power outages. Drivers are urged to avoid any downed wires and follow detours until the Toms River intersection is reopened.

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

Stilton's journalism follows established newsroom standards emphasizing accuracy, verification, fairness, and accountability. Every effort is made to verify information through official records and multiple reliable sources before publication. His reporting is intended to provide readers with timely, well-documented information that helps them understand the issues affecting their communities, while maintaining editorial independence from political parties, government agencies, advocacy organizations, and commercial interests.

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