Crash Knocks Out Power To More Than 700 Near Smithfield

SMITHFIELD, N.C. – More than 700 customers lost power late Friday night after a car struck a utility pole on U.S. 70 Business just west of Smithfield.

The single-vehicle crash occurred around 10:15 p.m. near Barbour Road, in front of ACE Fabrication.

The driver of a small passenger car ran off the roadway and struck a deep culvert along the right shoulder before crashing into the power pole.

The pole carried two large transformers, electrical lines and several communications cables. The impact brought the equipment and lines to the ground, including a large power line that fell across all four lanes of U.S. 70 Business.

The driver was transported to WakeMed with possible serious injuries.

Wilson’s Mills firefighters blocked the eastbound lanes while Smithfield Police diverted westbound traffic around the crash scene.

Duke Energy crews arrived quickly and were able to remove the lines from the roadway and reopen the highway shortly after midnight.

Power crews worked through the night replacing damaged equipment and restoring service to homes and businesses around 5:00 a.m.