Active power line falls on truck, traps driver along Highway 15-501

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A driver was trapped inside the cab of his truck Thursday afternoon after a power line and utility pole fell directly onto his vehicle along Highway 15-501.

The incident happened just before 1 p.m. near the intersection of Bryant Road, prompting emergency crews to shut down the highway in both directions.

The driver told Moore County News he had just pulled out of a nearby property and was heading north toward Sanford when he noticed a power line smoking. As he slowed down to be cautious, another utility pole suddenly gave way and crashed onto the cab of his truck, trapping him inside.

Emergency responders quickly arrived on scene but were forced to wait nearly 45 minutes for Duke Energy to cut power to the active line before they could safely free the driver.

Remarkably, the driver was not injured in the incident.

As of 6 p.m., utility crews remain on scene working to repair the downed pole and power lines. Highway 15-501 is still reduced to one lane in the area, and drivers are advised to use caution and expect delays.

The cause of the failing power infrastructure is under investigation.

Patrick Priest
Patrick Priest
A Moore County native who has spent more than 20 years telling stories across North Carolina and beyond. He’s worked with CNN, WRAL, and CBS 17, and now serves as a Video Journalist for ABC11. Patrick has a passion for breaking news and has earned multiple awards for his coverage. He’s also a certified NWS SKYWARN Storm Spotter and was among the first news videographers in the state to become an FAA-certified drone pilot.
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