Semi Snags Power Lines, Causes South Tulsa Outages

A semi tractor trailer truck took out some electric lines in the 8200 block of South Memorial Friday afternoon, sparking a small grassfire and some power outages.

Tulsa police say the truck pulled out of a strip shopping mall shortly after 2 p.m., snagging power lines. The lines stretched then broke loose, slingshotting across the road and causing a transformer to spark.

A small grassfire resulted, damaging about 100 yards. Tulsa firefighters put out the grassfire before it got into some nearby woods, according to Captain Rick Helberg of the Tulsa Police Department.

The intersections at 81st and 91st and Memorial, a few businesses and an apartment complex are without power.

The 18-wheeler did not stop, police say.

"We're currently looking for it," Captain Helberg said.

"Clearly the guy knew," he said. "To stretch those power lines like that had to do some damage to the truck."

About 1,400 customers were without power at one point, but electric service was fully restored by 4:30 p.m., according to a Public Service of Oklahoma representative.