MEMPHIS, Tenn. – A pickup truck crashed into a utility pole Friday morning in the Orange Mound neighborhood, causing a significant power outage.
The incident occurred near the intersection of Southern Avenue and Semmes Street. FOX13 arrived at the scene shortly after 6:30 a.m. and found a pickup truck with extensive front-end damage. A utility pole was visibly snapped as a result of the impact. A tow truck operator was on site to remove the vehicle, while a Memphis Police Department (MPD) cruiser provided assistance.
According to a Memphis Light, Gas and Water outage map, more than 500 residents were without power as of 6:45 a.m. The outage appeared to be concentrated in the Orange Mound and Cooper-Young areas.
Later, the driver of the truck informed MPD officers that he had been “distracted” at the time of the crash. He explained that he was talking to a passenger in the vehicle when the accident occurred. The driver was subsequently cited for failure to maintain a safe lookout, according to police.
