KANE –– An Ohio driver suffered a suspected serious injury after a utility pole went through his vehicle’s windshield and struck him in the face and neck on U.S. Route 219, just north of DeCasper Drive, in Lafayette Township on Thursday.

Kane-based state police say that at 1:17 p.m., an escort vehicle, operated by Richard J. Bucci, 63, of Bellville, Ohio, was traveling northbound on Route 219 behind a truck, driven by Robert L. Yates Jr., 44, of Burbank, Ohio. The escort vehicle rode behind the truck, which was an oversized load with a valid permit for the transportation of utility poles.

The truck slowed to a near stop, and the escort vehicle was traveling closer than police said was reasonable for existing road conditions. As a result, the windshield of the escort vehicle struck an utility pole on the truck, according to police.

That utility pole went through the windshield of the escort vehicle, hit Bucci partially on the face and neck and continued through the rear window of the escort vehicle, according to police.

After the initial impact, the escort vehicle and the truck came to rest in the northbound lane. Traffic was stopped in the north- and soundbound directions for about 30 to 60 minutes while the crash investigation was conducted, police said.

State police say that weather conditions were clear at the time of the crash, and the road was wet.

Assisting on the scene were the Bradford City Ambulance and Lewis Run Volunteer Fire Department.