Two early-morning traffic accidents on Cleveland Highway (US 129) near Riverbend Elementary School in Gainesville will keep a stretch of the roadway closed for several hours.
Sgt. Chris Jones with the Gainesville Police Department said the first accident occurred around 2 a.m. when a motorist struck a power pole and a large tree close on the edge of the elementary school property. The vehicle turned onto its side, according to Jones, but the driver fled the scene.
A short time later a tractor-trailer passed by the scene and became entangled in the lines from the power pole and pulled down two more power poles.
As a result, Cleveland Highway has been closed from the area of Riverbend Elementary School (Clarks Bridge Road) to Johnny's BBQ (close to Riverbend Circle).
Jones also said there is a power outage in the area that stretches from Lakeview Drive over to Riverbend Elementary. He did not think the school itself was impacted by the power outage.
Hall County School District Superintendent Will Schofield said Riverbend Elementary School will operate on a digital basis for Thursday because of the traffic impact on the area. Riverbend staff should report to the school at noon. In an email statement, Schofield also indicated there could be delays in school bus routes that serve that area for North Hall Middle School and North Hall High School.
The section of Cleveland Highway is expected to be closed until at least noon.
