Falling Tree Hits Utility Poles, Injuring Driver And Knocking Out Power To Hundreds On Staten Island
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Investigators say it appears that a rotted tree fell onto power lines, causing a chain of events that injured a driver and cut power to hundreds on Staten Island.
It happened around 2:15 a.m. on Victory Boulevard.
It was initially believed that the driver somehow lost control and crashed into utility poles, but investigators now say it appears that was not the case.
A tree actually came crashing down onto the power lines, bringing down four utility poles with it.
"Local devastation," Dr. Denise Cerullo, whose office is right in front of the scene, said. "I mean power lines down trees down..."
At the same time, first responders say one of the poles fell on a car, flipping it over while the driver tried avoiding the debris, CBS2's Janelle Burrell reported.
The driver was taken to Richmond University Medical Center with minor injuries.
Con Edison says the driver of the car was very lucky that live wires did not crash on the vehicle, CBS2's Ali Bauman reported.
At one point, more than 500 customers in the area were without power. Con Edison crews have been on the scene and are working to restore power to the remaining customers who are still in the dark.
Con Edison crews were working Wednesday to chop up and clear away the electric poles and snapped wires.
The New York City Parks Department says they will inspect the tree to determine why it fell.
Victory Boulevard between Renwick and Labau were closed as the investigation continued.