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PROVO -- Power lines stretched over street lights and along neighborhood roads in Provo Wednesday morning after a tractor-trailer crashed into a power pole.
The result of that crash was like a rubber band effect, pulling power lines down in several directions. It also knocked out power to 4,000 homes and dozens of businesses.
Provo City Power was able to restore power to about 3,800 by noon Wednesday. As of 3:30, less than 80 of those customers were left without power as crews continued to work.
Provo police say the driver of the semi truck was headed north on State Street after picking up a load from Stouffer's in Springville, when he made a left-hand turn onto 300 South. He apparently went too wide and struck a power pole support beam, causing the truck and trailer to tip onto its side.
"When he caught the support beam, it was kind of like a rubber band effect. It grabbed all the other lines and snapped the poles in half, which is a tremendous amount of force," explained Provo police Lt. Jeff Loungee.
Police say a total of seven poles snapped, bringing live power lines down in several directions.
Residents KSL News spoke to said they heard the crash and the poles hitting the ground. They say it is surprising no one was injured.
"This street is normally busy, and if it would have happened at any other time somebody would have been killed. It's shocking to see it," said witness Stevoni Doyle.
Provo City Power called in crews from Cache County and Salt Lake County to help repair the poles and restore power to the area.
Meanwhile, the driver suffered an injury to his leg during the accident. He was taken to a local hospital, where he was treated and released.
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Story compiled with contributions from Shara Park and Andrew Adams.
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The Associated Press contributed to this story.
