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Eastway Drive reopens after SUV slams into, snaps utility pole

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Police said busy road in east Charlotte has reopened hours after emergency crews had to close it when a vehicle crashed into a utility pole, snapping it.

[PHOTOS: SUV crashes into utility pole, shuts down Eastway Drive]

Eastway Drive was blocked in both directions just south of The Plaza after an SUV crashed into the pole around 7 a.m Monday. The impact also brought power lines down across the road.

Channel 9 crews could see the silver SUV on its side up against the pole. Another car was also heavily damaged.

Duke Energy was reporting more than 120 outages in the area, and restoration wasn’t expected to be completed until 11 a.m.

[ALSO READ: Multi-car crash shuts down lanes on Central Avenue in east Charlotte]

Police said Eastway Drive would be closed between Weldon Avenue and Commerical Avenue, and were asking drivers to avoid the area.

Paramedics said three people were taken to the hospital with potentially life-threatening injuries.

Police are still investigating what caused the crash.