A Kinston police officer was trapped inside a patrol car after crashing into a light pole early Sunday morning in Duplin County, North Carolina. The accident resulted in power lines falling onto the vehicle, making it unsafe for the officer and a K9 unit inside to exit immediately.
Emergency responders from the Potters Hill and Pink Hill Fire Departments were dispatched to the scene at approximately 6:30 a.m. following reports of the crash on Highway 241. Due to the downed power lines, the situation required specialized assistance to ensure the safe removal of the officer and the police dog.
Tri-County Electric Membership Corporation (EMC) crews arrived promptly to assess the damage and cut off power in the area, preventing further hazards from the live wires. Once power was safely disconnected, emergency teams successfully extracted the officer and K9 from the vehicle. However, details regarding any injuries sustained by the officer have not been released.
Authorities shut down Highway 241 between Church Road and Parker Heath Road for several hours to allow EMC crews to repair the damaged light pole and restore power to affected residents. The exact cause of the crash remains unclear, and officials have not provided additional details on whether weather conditions, road hazards, or other factors played a role in the incident.
Local authorities continue to investigate the accident, and updates may follow as more information becomes available. Residents in the area experienced temporary power outages due to the damage but were expected to have full service restored later in the day.
