Man killed after vacuum truck hits power lines in Macomb County
ARMADA, Mich. (FOX 2) - A vacuum truck in Macomb County hit power lines in the northern portion of the county, sparking a fire that charred the cab of the truck. Authorities confirmed one man died as a result.
FOX 2 has learned that the victim was a DTE Energy contractor. The Macomb County Sheriff said they were called just after 1 p.m. Thursday to the fire on Romeo Plank at 32 Mile Road. The driver, a 61-year-old man, was pronounced dead at the scene.
"It is with heavy hearts that we confirm that a contractor lost an employee today while doing work for DTE. The individual, who was working in Macomb County, came in contact with overhead equipment and was fatally wounded.
"We send our love and support to his family and loved ones. Our teams are currently on the scene, working with first responders and local officials to assist with the investigation."
The truck is a Vacall vacuum truck. Vacall cleans sewers and catch basins with a boom arm. The boom arm of the truck was extended and appears to have come in contact with power lines. It sparked a fire that engulfed the cab of the truck in flames.
DTE is on the scene and an electric truck appears to have utilized its bucket and boom to lift the wires.
Powell Road has been reopened as of 10 p.m. tonight.
FOX 2 is working to learn more about the incident and what happened.