Traffic cameras show moments before power pole fell on car in Tukwila

TUKWILA, Wash. — Tukwila police on Tuesday released video from traffic cameras that show the moment power poles began falling along East Marginal Way on Friday, with one falling on a car and trapping the couple inside.

>> Read KIRO 7 coverage from the day of the incident

The video also shows the moments before the car was struck as it was driving through the area.

Two people in the car were injured, and the 26 power poles that fell knocked out power to more than 16,000 customers in South Seattle, Tukwila, White Center and Burien. The incident also closed both directions of East Marginal Way South.

Scroll down past video window to continue reading

>> Hear from the couple who was in the car hit by pole

It's still unclear why the poles fell.  City Light said an outside contractor is investigating.

"The poles in that area were all inspected in 2016," City Light CEO and General Manager Debra Smith said. "So we have good data about the inspection process and the treatment that was applied to many them. We're looking at loading."

Raisbeck Aviation High School is one of the customers in the dark. And there's a rush to restore power before spring break ends. The students are set to return next week.

"The kids will be back on Monday," says Scott Logan, operations manager for the Highline School District.

When the 26 electrical poles crashed to the ground, they took out the power at the Raisbeck Aviation High School; their telephones, too.

"So we know we won't have internet access or telephones working by Monday," Logan said. "And it'll probably be a couple of weeks before they can get the fiber put back together that pulled right out of the building."

If students are able to return to school Monday, their school may have lights but not the technology they take for granted.

"We will look at alternative programs, alternative ideas," said Logan, “cellular phones."

He says he will meet with Seattle City Light on Wednesday for an update. Then he plans to send the information to parents and students.

More news from KIRO 7

DOWNLOAD OUR FREE NEWS APP 

Cox Media Group