A semi-truck hauling electrical equipment caused a stir in a west Phoenix neighborhood Tuesday morning after hitting several power line poles, resulting in multiple home evacuations, and widespread power outages. The accident, which took down nine poles according to Salt River Project (SRP), occurred near the intersection of 35th Avenue and Butler Drive, as reported by azfamily.com.
Despite the dramatic scenery of downed lines and poles, police confirmed that no other vehicles were involved, and no injuries have been reported. However, the crash's impact on local utilities was significant; SRP crews were still working to restore power to 34 customers by the evening. According to the scene, "He kept pulling forward when it caught on his gear and as he went, he pulled forward. He just happened to snap, snap, snap, snap and it was just like I said the whole time, it’s like watching a trainwreck,” Richard Miranda, a resident, witnessed the accident and described the chain reaction of the falling poles to azfamily.com.
The crash not only resulted in physical damage to the infrastructure but also left residents momentarily in the dark. Earlier in the day, SRP reported that the outage initially affected hundreds of customers, yet by around 1 p.m., the number had been significantly reduced. This suggests that SRP crews were promptly addressing the electrical disruption in the aftermath of the accident. Coverage from Sky12 showed utility lines hanging precariously over homes near 35th and Dunlap avenues, as per the coverage shared by 12news.com.
The Phoenix Fire Department recommended evacuation for those in the immediate vicinity as a precaution, despite the absence of any injuries, and the driver of the semi truck remained on scene post-collision. Meanwhile, Butler Drive will be closed from 35th Avenue to 37th Avenue for an undetermined time, as SRP crews and first responders work to ensure the neighboring homes and businesses are safe, and people are being advised to avoid the area.
