(1-28-23) Thursday night Eastside lost a graduate and an assistant wrestling coach in a tragic event after hitting an electric pole.

According to the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department on Thursday evening, a Ford F350 truck, driven by Lane Burns (20) of Butler , was traveling north in the 2200 block of County Road 61 when Burns lost control and hit a utility pole. The impact caused the pole to snap in half and live wires fell across the road.

After the truck had stopped Burns decided to get out of the truck and walk back toward the road when he stepped on the down live wires from the poles. He was pronounced dead at the scene by first responders.

Burns was a 2021 Eastside graduate where also starred on the football team and wrestling mat. Burns was an assistant coach for the Eastside High School Wrestling Team.

Eastside Principal Orie Foster issued the following statement:

“From everyone in the Eastside and DeKalb County Eastern community, we would like to extend our sincere condolences to the family of Lane Burns. Lane graduated from Eastside in 2021 and was an assistant coach for the wrestling team. He devoted his time helping the younger students. Lane’s presence on the team and in the school community will be greatly missed.”

In May of 2021 Burns and two of his teammates committed to play football at Trine –

Trio of Eastside football stars taking talents to Trine

FOX 55 Fort Wayne – You Tube Video

In a Butler Bulletin article on that day he said –

“I’ve always loved football since I was young. I’ve loved playing it. It’s grown on me as I’ve gotten older and I never want to let go. It’s four more years and an amazing opportunity.”

A safety warning—

A safety warning from the electrical power industry –

If you hit a power pole, pad-mounted transformer (“green box”) or other electrical equipment, DO NOT get out of the vehicle or cab. Instead, call 9-1-1 and wait for utility crews to come and de-energize power.

Your hit a patch of ice and go off the road and hit a utility pole. Or you are in a car accident and one of the vehicles strikes a power pole. Only get out of the car if there is smoke or a fire; otherwise, stay put. If there a fire, make a clean jump or hop from your car or truck (without touching it), and hop with your feet together or shuffle keeping your feet on the ground at least 30 feet to safety. Think of the downed line sending electrical current across the ground in a ripple-like effect. Each ring of the ripple represents a different voltage. If you step from one ring to another, this is called step potential and it can electrocute you.

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