Several blocks of Dinkytown lost power Tuesday morning after a rollover car crash knocked over a utility pole, according to witnesses and police on the scene.
Police, along with the roughly 30-foot-long utility pole, blocked off 12th Avenue SE to traffic as Xcel Energy crews worked to safely remove the pole and reroute power.
In an emailed statement to the Daily, Xcel Energy spokesperson Josiah Mayo said around 12 customers lost power and power should be restored by 8 p.m.
“Our crews responded quickly to the scene to assess the damage and are making repairs as quickly and safely as possible,” Mayo said.
Witnesses said two women were arguing near the crash site and police detained one of the women shortly after the crash.
A tan-colored sedan could be seen lying upside down with its trunk open on the side lawn of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints off of University Avenue.
Powerlines draped over cars on the street and a knocked-over lamppost laid over the roof of a blue-colored sedan only a few feet in front of the overturned car.
Although she didn’t see the crash, Sophie Hillis, a third-year University of Minnesota student, said she was in her house around 11:15 a.m. when she heard a loud bang.
“I thought it was a dumpster truck,” Hillis said.
After hearing the crash, Hillis said she and her roommate went outside their front door where they saw two women aguing. She photographed police arresting a woman wearing pajama pants and a t-shirt and said one of the women had children with her.
Hillis said she did not see an ambulance or fire truck respond to the crash.
Aidan Stucker, a third-year University of Minnesota student and a member of the fraternity FIJI, said he saw police conduct a breathalyzer test on the woman before handcuffing her.
“They were yelling ‘why’d you punch me?’” Stucker said about the women’s argument.
Stucker said the power in his frat house went out immediately and hasn’t been restored. He and his frat brothers worried their food might spoil.
“I was planning on taking a test today but with the wi-fi out, I’ll probably have to go to the library,” Smith said.
One Xcel Energy worker said power should be restored to most of the affected areas in Dinkytown, but power couldn’t be routed back to a transformer on the 1100 block until the mess from the crash was cleaned up.
University of Minnesota Police sergeant Tom Bohrer said it may take a few more hours to clean up the area and fully restore power, but that there was no danger to pedestrians walking in the area.
“As long as people stay behind the yellow line, they should be fine,” Bohrer said.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
Corrections: A previous version of the article misidentified the police department sergeant Tom Bohrer works for. Other updates have been made to reflect the vehicle type, the projected time power will be restored, and names. Other edits have been made for clarity and accuracy.
