Power restored after semi-truck downs powerline

Hundreds of Westar Energy customers in Douglas County were without power after a semi-truck pulled down a powerline pole at the intersection of 25th and Iowa Streets at 2:47 p.m. No injuries were reported.

Lawrence Police Sgt. Trent McKinley said the truck had just made a delivery to an area business, when a low-hanging utility wire became ensnared on the truck’s roof. As the truck continued to drive, it pulled down the pole. McKinley said he did not believe the low-hanging utility line belonged to Westar.

As many as 782 customers were affected, according to the company website. It appeared several businesses near the downed powerline were without power. By 7:10 p.m., only seven customers were without power.

As of 6:15 p.m., workers had nearly completed replacing the pole, but fiber optics cable remained on the ground, which was the reason traffic remained blocked. A Westar representative said power would likely be restored between 7 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.