A single-vehicle accident that snarled traffic, darkened part of the city and sent a man to the hospital Thursday night was caused by a medical incident, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Donald Osborne Darren, 66, of Fort Walton Beach, was driving a 2009 Chevrolet Silverado north on State Road 85 about 6:25 p.m. when he suffered a severe coughing fit that caused him to black out, the FHP reported. The truck veered across the grass median and southbound lanes onto the west shoulder, where it hit a utility pole and fire hydrant just north of P.J. Adams Parkway.
The wreck snarled traffic in both directions and knocked out electricity to portions of Crestview. Power was fully restored about 1:30 a.m.
Darren was taken to North Okaloosa Medical Center in serious condition, the FHP reported. He does not face any charges, the FHP said.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Man blacks out, hits utility pole