CHARLOTTE, N.C.,None — Albemarle Road was blocked for hours Friday just outside of Interstate 485 because of downed power lines.
The lines were pulled down in an early-morning crash in which a driver slammed into a utility pole, snapping it in half.
The driver was not seriously hurt.
Both lanes of Albemarle Road from I-485 to Rocky River Road were closed as workers made repairs.
Duke officials said it's a major distribution pole and that a lot of technical work was required to rework the lines strung on it.
Duke Energy said power has been restored to homes in the area. Immediately after the accident, around 4,000 customers were without power.
Tim Gremore, who lives close to the site of the crash, lost power for several hours and had to detour around the affected area.
"It's a bit rough -- kind of affects the whole area," Gremore said.
WSOC
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