Power pole falls into roadway, damages vehicles

Oncor is currently investigating the cause behind the collapse of a large wooden power pole in Collin County on Thursday, which led to vehicle damages.

According to Jennifer Chapman, spokesperson for the Plano Police Department, there were no injuries reported when the pole fell onto Custer Road around 2 p.m. Initially, authorities believed that a driver had collided with the pole and then with another vehicle. However, it was later determined that the pole fell independently, causing damage to passing vehicles.

Fortunately, both drivers involved were shaken but unharmed. One vehicle sustained significant front-end damage, while the other showed burn marks from where power lines had come into contact and melted onto the hood.

Oncor has assured that affected vehicle owners can file claims with them to cover the repair costs. The company expressed appreciation for the assistance provided by Plano Police in managing the situation and ensuring safety until their personnel arrived.

Contractors replaced the fallen pole on Friday, although the reason for its collapse remains unknown. It’s unclear if a prior incident may have weakened the pole.

Oncor also mentioned to NBC 5 that while some poles in the area may appear tilted, they do not present a safety hazard.