*Driver charged in crash that put Strasburg lights out

View larger image A firefighter works on extinguishing a fire at George Andrews' King Street home in Strasburg on Tuesday. Power was out to about 1,200 area electric customers after residents after a tractor-trailer hit an electric pole at the intersection of King and Funk streets. Sally Voth/Daily View larger image Sally Voth/Daily View larger image A utility pole leans precariously near the intersection of King and Funk streets. Sally Voth/Daily

By Sally Voth - svoth@nvdaily.com

STRASBURG -- A tractor-trailer driver whose rig snagged a utility wire, dragging poles and electric lines down and sparking a fire at a house on the corner of South Funk and East King streets this morning, has been charged.

David Ferrell, 50, of North Carolina, was charged with reckless driving and failure to obey highway signs, Strasburg Police Officer Matt Moats said.

He said Ferrell turned from East King onto South Funk -- which has signs on each side saying "No Semis" -- and caught a wire with his wheel. That ended up toppling several utility poles and tearing wires.

One wire set George Andrews' house on fire.

Firefighters had to wait to attack the blaze until power was shut off.

Shenandoah Valley Electric Co-operative spokesman Mike Aulgur said about 1,400 customers lost power. He said power was expected to be back on for everyone by midnight.