A vehicle collision on Saturday afternoon led to a power outage affecting over 1,200 customers across four counties in the Pine Belt region of Mississippi. The incident occurred around 4:10 p.m. when a car crashed into a utility pole on Mississippi Highway 42 near Hancock Road, causing a fire and subsequent power failure. Restoration efforts were swift, with electricity fully restored by 5:42 p.m. No injuries were reported from the accident. This event highlighted the rapid response capabilities of local utility teams in addressing such emergencies.

The accident took place approximately five miles west of Richton, impacting a significant portion of the local power grid managed by Dixie Electric Power Association. The crash not only damaged the power pole but also ignited a fire that further compromised the electrical infrastructure. According to Amanda Mills, a spokesperson for Dixie Electric, the affected circuit covered an extensive area, leading to widespread outages. Specifically, Perry County saw the highest number of impacted customers at 888, followed by Jones County with 320, Forrest County with 10, and Wayne County with 4.

Following the accident, repair crews faced the challenge of securing the scene before commencing restoration work. Once clearance was obtained, they promptly replaced the damaged pole and repaired both electrical and fiber optic lines. Mills emphasized the readiness and efficiency of their team in restoring power as quickly as possible. By 6 p.m., only three out of Dixie’s 41,000-plus customers remained without electricity.

Trooper Taylor Shows from the Mississippi Highway Patrol confirmed that no one was injured in the vehicle accident. This incident underscores the importance of road safety and the critical role of utility companies in maintaining reliable power supply during unexpected disruptions. The timely actions of emergency responders and utility workers ensured minimal disruption to daily life in the affected areas.