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Accident knocks out power to thousands

Posted at 8:36 AM, Jan 15, 2013
and last updated 2013-01-15 13:18:22-05

VARINA, Va. (WTVR) – Thousands of people lost power Tuesday morning after a vehicle hit a power pole on Darbytown Road in Varina.

The accident involved a mini-van and a GRTC bus, according to Henrico Police spokeswoman Lt. Linda Toney.

Toney said the minivan crashed into the power pole and overturned. The woman driving the mini-van was taken to the hospital with minor injuries, Toney said. A child in the mini-van was not hurt.

Utility lines fell on the GRTC bus as a result of the accident, but no one on the bus was hurt.

So far, no charges have been filed in the accident. Toney said investigators are looking into whether the weather was a factor in the crash.

Police said Darbytown Road between Bickerstaff Road and Springcrest Lane was closed for several hours as crews repair the power pole. Darbytown Road has since reopened.

Dominion Virginia Power spokesman Karl Neddenien said they hope to have the power restored to most of their customers within the hour. He said Dominion can re-route the power so customers get their electricity back while crews work on repairing the pole.

About 250 customers who live near the accident scene will have to wait for the pole to be fixed before power is restored. Dominion estimated that could take several hours.

This is a developing story.