A motor vehicle crash near Winthrop University caused power outages in multiple areas across campus, said Winthrop University Police Department. Loud booms were heard and bright flashes were seen on Charlotte Avenue around 9:08 p.m., the same time the power went out on campus.
Parts of Monday night’s incident were witnessed by staff members of The Johnsonian.
Freshman Sera Crookes of The Johnsonian was in the Starbucks at the corner of Cherry Road and Charlotte Avenue when they were startled by the flashes of light and sudden booms.
“A woman pulled into the lot saying she was directly under the line when it popped … she was terrified,” Crookes said. “We thought it was gunfire at first, then possibly a firework, then we walked outside and saw the line on fire.”
I was in my Charlotte Avenue Walk2Campus house when I jumped at the gunshot-like sounds and bright flashes. I called 911 believing it was gunshots that had occurred. After confirming that it was not gunshots, I went outside to see fire trucks arriving and a small flame at the top of a powerline blowing sparks onto the road.
The power outage inconvenienced students in more ways than one. It prevented some from turning in assignments and its impact was still prevalent the following morning as campusfood services became limited.
“Due to the power outage last night, food service hours of operations in DiGiorgio Campus Center for Starbucks, Einstein Bagels, and Chick-fil-A are revised as follows,” read an email from Shelia Burkhalter, vice president for student affairs. “Einstein Bagels is now open but with a limited menu. Starbucks will open at approximately 10:00 AM with a full menu except for Cold Brew items.
“Chick-fil-A will open as soon as they are able to replenish their menu items. The rest of Markley’s Place (Tres Habeneros, The Grill, Mein Bowl, and Simply-To-Go will open on schedule at 10:30 AM.”
WUPD sent a WU Alert out at 10:11 p.m. that said, “Due to an off-campus motor vehicle collision, parts of campus are experiencing a loss of electrical power. Duke Energy is on scene beginning repairs of the electrical transformer. During this time please exercise caution while moving through campus and stay safe. Updates on when the power will be returned will be passed on as soon as that information becomes available.”
