Texting While Driving Causes Car to Hit Hydrant, Overturn

Story by Lou Minutoli:

West Hempstead's Nassau Boulevard -- near Bell Street -- had to be shut down for a short time Tuesday night around 10:30 p.m. after an out of control car flipped over on its side and knocked down a fire hydrant.

No one was seriously injured in the crash but the roadway and nearby front yards were flooded with water spewing from the sheared off hydrant.

Police said the accident was a result of texting while driving.

The female driver was able to escape the vehicle after she lost control, struck a utility pole and landed the vehicle on its side.

Nassau County Police and Franklin Square firefighters were on the scene quickly to secure the area and the water company was summoned to the site to shut down the water.

The road was closed between Dogwood Avenue and Hempstead Turnpike while the area was cleared.

The broken hydrant caused a major safety concern for children attending John Street School on Nassau Boulevard Wednesday morning as the sidewalk near the school was undermined by the flowing water.

Police and utility workers had to set up a safe pedestrian zone in order for the children and parents to safely access the school.

Water Company crews were on the scene early Wednesday morning making needed repairs.