Crime & Safety

Oakland Driver Loses Control on Slick Ramp, Levels Light Pole

The woman, who is celebrating her birthday today, was unharmed

An Oakland woman on her way to pick up treats for her birthday celebration lost control of her Honda Civic on rain-slick roads early Friday morning in Fair Lawn, spinning out of control and slamming into a light pole.

"Everything happened so fast," said Mary Hooban, who was exiting Route 208 at Fair Lawn Avenue on her way to work around 6:15 a.m.

Hooban, who was unharmed, said she doesn't usually get off at the Fair Lawn Avenue exit, but did so Friday to pick up the birthday goodies for co-workers at a local bakery.

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She said she wasn't speeding when she came around the curve on the exit ramp, but that the slick road conditions forced her car to spin out of control. The car was towed from the scene.

Hooban said who arrived at the scene told her that similar incidents have happened at that location in the past.

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In fact, Hooban said police told her that the base of another felled light pole rests just a few feet from the one Hooban hit Friday morning.

Police were unavailable for comment.

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